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Clinton campaign releases college affordability plan

September 13, 2016
Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton addresses the crowed during her acceptance speech on the final day of the Democratic National Convention on July 28, 2016 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.  Clinton became the first woman to accept the nomination of a major party for the presidential election.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton addresses the crowed during her acceptance speech on the final day of the Democratic National Convention on July 28, 2016 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Clinton became the first woman to accept the nomination of a major party for the presidential election. —
Photo by Carly Geraci | and Carly Geraci The State News

The Hillary Clinton campaign released new details of their college affordability plan Monday.

Sen. Tim Kaine is set to speak at the University of Michigan on Tuesday, and will likely push for the campaign's college affordability plan called the New College Compact.

According to the campaign's report, tuition at public, four-year institutions in Michigan has risen by 23 percent since 2008, while public funding has fallen by 21 percent per student after inflation.

"I personally think college is just way too unaffordable unless you're willing to take out loans," kinesiology junior Kelli Yokom said.

Clinton's plan is to provide assistance to families already burdened by student debt, and to eliminate debt for future students.

Under the plan, students who attend public, in-state colleges and universities, and whose families earn less than $125,000 per year, will pay no tuition. The campaign believes that this will affect approximately 89 percent of Michigan households.

Clinton plans to build to the $125,000 mark by 2021, beginning with an $85,000 income cutoff, according to the report.

The report also details Clinton's plans to increase federal assistance for other fees associated with attending college, like on-campus childcare services.

For students currently in school, and for graduates still struggling with debt, Clinton plans to work to allow refinancing of student loans, something the campaign says will save a typical borrower $2,000 during the life of the loan.

The New College Compact would limit student loan bills to 10 percent of monthly income, and give significant breaks to those working in public service jobs. Graduates working to open new businesses in "distressed communities" will receive up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness under this plan, while "teachers in high-need districts or shortage subjects will get enhanced loan forgiveness," according to the report.

Clinton plans to fund these reforms in part by asking colleges and universities to rein in costs, and in part by requiring students to work 10 hours each week to help cover the cost of college attendance. She also plans to limit "certain tax expenditures for high-income taxpayers," according to the factsheet on her website.

State Representative Adam Zemke, minority vice chair on the Michigan House Education Committee, supports the New College Compact. 

"Hillary Clinton's plan looks to the future and invests in our students so they can stay and succeed in Michigan," he said in a press release from Hillary for America. 

Clinton's "College Calculator," a tool intended to show individual students and families how the New College Compact could impact them, is already up on the campaign's website.

The full report is available via Medium.

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