Murray Asks Students, Parents, and Workers to Share Personal Stories as Congress Kicks Off Work to Update Higher Education Law

As Senate Education Committee works to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, Senator Murray is committed to making sure the voices of students and parents are heard

Students, parents, and workers can submit their personal stories HERE

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee today urged current, former, and future students and their families to share their personal stories about what they think Congress should tackle when it comes to higher education. As the Senate works to update the Higher Education Act, Senator Murray is committed to a student-centered reauthorization, and is interested in hearing from students directly.

“Our top priority in reauthorizing the Higher Education Act should not be colleges, loan companies, or interest groups—it should be our students,” said Senator Murray. “So I’m interested in hearing from students who are struggling to afford college, people who are being crushed by student loan debt, working learners and first-generation college students who aren’t getting the support they need from their schools, students and parents with stories or ideas on how to keep our campuses safe, and more. Hearing from people directly is critical as we work toward a comprehensive solution that addresses all these issues, and I’m going to fight as hard as I can to make sure their stories, values, and priorities are represented as we work together to get this done.”

In order to truly help students overcome all of the barriers in higher education, Senator Murray believes a comprehensive Higher Education Act must address four issues: the rising costs of college and the burden of student debt; holding schools and programs accountable for students’ success and ability to get a job after graduation; increasing access to college for unrepresented students; and ensuring every student is able to learn in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and violence.

Currently the Senate HELP Committee is requesting public comments on issues to address in a Higher Education Act reauthorization, as well as suggestions. Students should submit their stories, with their first name and hometown, to HigherEdStories2018@help.senate.gov.

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