Ames, IA - Bruce Braley today visited Iowa State University to discuss the clear choice in the US Senate race on college affordability and highlight the importance of voting early in this year's crucial midterm election. Joni Ernst has admitted the consequences of her policies would be "very painful and we know that." While Bruce continues traveling the state and talking to Iowans about his plans to fight for all Iowa students and families, not just the wealthiest few, Joni Ernst puts her special interest agenda ahead of Iowa's families and would eliminate the Department of Education, privatize student loans, and increase costs for Iowa students and families.
"A college education is the gateway to economic opportunity, but too often, the rising cost of tuition and other college costs are putting that dream out of reach," said Braley. "Few issues are more important for Iowa families than a strong education, and the choice couldn't be clearer. My opponent would eliminate the Department of Education, privatize student loans, and increase costs for Iowa students and families. While Sen. Ernst may think that we need extreme policies that would inflict, in her words, 'painful,' consequences on Iowa's families, I'll never stop fighting to expand access to a quality college education. Iowans need a Senator who fights for all families and students, not just the wealthiest few."
While Braley is working to reduce the burden of college costs, Joni Ernst said she'd do away with federal student loans and Pell grants, which could put college out of reach for the hundreds of thousands of Iowans who rely on that aid annually for their education. As a report released recently by Braley for Iowa shows, State Sen. Ernst's plan has devastating consequences for Iowa students and families, including:
Across Iowa, eliminating the Department of Education would:
Braley also emphasized today the importance of voting early in this year's crucial midterm election. Voting early by mail or in person is the simplest and easiest way to cast a ballot. Iowans can vote early in person from now until November 3, or they can vote by mail anytime between now and Election Day. Iowans can find their early voting location or can request a ballot to vote by mail at vote.brucebraley.com.
"A college education is the gateway to economic opportunity, but too often, the rising cost of tuition and other college costs are putting that dream out of reach," said Braley. "Few issues are more important for Iowa families than a strong education, and the choice couldn't be clearer. My opponent would eliminate the Department of Education, privatize student loans, and increase costs for Iowa students and families. While Sen. Ernst may think that we need extreme policies that would inflict, in her words, 'painful,' consequences on Iowa's families, I'll never stop fighting to expand access to a quality college education. Iowans need a Senator who fights for all families and students, not just the wealthiest few."
While Braley is working to reduce the burden of college costs, Joni Ernst said she'd do away with federal student loans and Pell grants, which could put college out of reach for the hundreds of thousands of Iowans who rely on that aid annually for their education. As a report released recently by Braley for Iowa shows, State Sen. Ernst's plan has devastating consequences for Iowa students and families, including:
Across Iowa, eliminating the Department of Education would:
- Eliminate the Pell Grants that 111,000 students receive.
- Eliminate the 228,000 federal loans that have been distributed to Iowa students
- Force Iowa Students Receiving Pell Grants To Pay Up To $5,730 More Per Year For College - Or $22,295 over four years
- Force Iowa Students To Take On Thousands In Debt Through Private Lenders
- Slash Federal Work-Study Aid For More Than 4,000 Iowa Students
- 6,271 students received Pell Grants to attend Iowa State University
- ISU graduates with student loan debt owed on average $24,300 in federal obligations
Braley also emphasized today the importance of voting early in this year's crucial midterm election. Voting early by mail or in person is the simplest and easiest way to cast a ballot. Iowans can vote early in person from now until November 3, or they can vote by mail anytime between now and Election Day. Iowans can find their early voting location or can request a ballot to vote by mail at vote.brucebraley.com.
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