Dear Mr. or Madame President:

The cost of higher education plays a big role in society, and has many people concerned. Many people wonder why higher education is so expensive, how many people are actually able to pay off their student loan debts, and what the effect of higher education has on people, or students.

Nearly 7 million families in the past year have failed to make a payment on their student loan. Recent studies show that the student loan debts have reached historic highs, $29,000 in student loan debt. Many families have jobs that allow them to make good money, but that doesn't mean they can afford to send their kids to college.

"Private institutions have decided to increase the staff (faculty and other) to student ratio. Combined with salaries and benefits that have increased faster than inflation (and health insurance inflation?!?), this accounts for the increase in tuition." (Mike). Which means that because the college increased the number of staff members, they had to raise the cost of tuition. "Consumers who have questioned whether it is worth spending $1,000 a square foot for a home are now asking whether it is worth spending $1,000 a week to send their kids to college." (Mike). Meaning, people are having to rethink if it would be better to send their kid to college instead of buying a house. This matters because it shows you just how much higher education affects people. It puts pressure on students to try and do better in high school so they can get scholarships. It not only affects the students, but the parents. The parents have to try and figure out ways to be able to afford to send their kids off to college, and try and figure out ways to avoid student loan debt.

"87% of Americans believe that a college education has become as important as a high school diploma used to be" (“Americans View Higher Education as Key to American Dream”). That statement shows us how big of a deal higher education is. A high school diploma used to be something everyone strived for, that was what the main goal was. Now, it's getting into college, and being able to afford it. "Americans believe that a college education has replaced a high school diploma as the gateway to the middle class, according to the most extensive public opinion survey ever conducted about Americans' views on higher education." (“Americans View Higher Education as Key to American Dream”). A college education proves whether you are middle class worthy or not. That's not fair though, because many Americans have a good job and make a good amount of money, but they still can't afford to send their kids to college.

I feel like the future president should come up with a way to make college tuition more affordable, and ways to keep families out of student loan debt. Higher education plays a big role in society, and has many people concerned.

Sincerely,

Haley B.