Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton will announce a proposal allowing individuals who are paying off student loans a three-month intermission so they can restructure their debt, the Washington Post reported.
“Wednesday’s policy rollout is a direct overture to Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator who posed a serious threat to Clinton in the Democratic primary and is yet to endorse her in the general election,” the Post noted. “A Clinton campaign fact sheet announcing the new proposals was laced with multiple references to Sanders and his calls for addressing college affordability.”
Sanders communicated his plans for free tuition at state colleges and universities and refinancing of student loans throughout his campaign, while Clinton argued students should still have to pay for their tuition, but graduate debt-free.
“We should have debt-free college if you go to a public college or university,” Clinton said in November. “I disagree with free college for everybody. I don’t think taxpayers should be paying to send Donald Trump’s kids to college.”
Now, she has reconsidered Sanders’s proposal and shifted her stance.
“I want everyone to be able to refinance your student loans, so you never have to pay more than you can afford,” Clinton said yesterday in a speech at the National Education Association. “For people who go into public service – including teaching – any remaining debt will be forgiven after 10 years. And we’ll go even further for those who teach in hard-to-fill subjects such as computer science or special education.”
Additionally, Clinton hopes to enforce a measure ensuring families that earn up to $125,000 annually will not be required to pay tuition at public colleges and universities. This initiative would qualify 80 percent of American families for free tuition.
Adam Green was informed of Clinton’s plan prior to the announcement this morning. The co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee that promotes free college, Green stated his approval of Clinton’s shifting plan.
“This represents a doubling down by Hillary Clinton on the idea that if you’re a student in America, you should be able to attend your state’s public colleges or universities and graduate with zero debt,” Green said. “Making public colleges tuition-free for families making below $125,000, as part of a broader debt-free package for all that includes expanding Pell Grants, should be welcome news for Bernie Sanders supporters.”
Clinton’s shift will presumably win over younger voters who were previously Sanders supporters, presenting an interesting challenge for Trump to attract millennial voters come November.
