Federal Budget Passes the House and the Senate!

On April 29, a historic federal budget passed the House and the Senate with the education investments we fought so hard for and haven’t seen in generations! There has never been a more important time to invest in America’s future. On April 29, after all your hard work, we made history.

With the passage of this budget we learned two things, first, young people DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE and WE DO HAVE THE POWER TO WIN victories that change peoples lives! And second, there are still private student lenders making millions off of students trying to prevent Congress and President Obama from making education a right for every hard working student and family who deserve it.

The fight is not over. In the coming weeks we will continue to defend our victory as we push Congress to fund the budget proposal they just passed through the Appropriation process. We must continue to let representatives know we are paying attention.

Congratulations again and thank you so much for all that you do to make education a right.

You can read the Press Release on our website.


-USSA

USSA In The News!

The Detroit News: President Carmen Berkley talks about the reality of student loan debt.
Read the article here

wpxi.com: President Carmen Berkeley discusses about the long term effect of tuition increases.
Read the article here

Education Week: National Field Director Bill Shiebler talks about President Obama's investment to students.
Read the article here

Talk Radio News Service: President Carmen Berkley addresses how important it is to vote for a budget that will benefit students.
Read the article here

-USSA

USSA's National Field Director Talks About College Affordability

Bill Shiebler, USSA's National Field Director, discusses the reality of college affordability.

Watch the video here


-USSA

President Obama And USSA Support Funding For Higher Education

On April 24th, President Obama addressed the struggles that students face in higher education. President Obama's budget included increases to the Pell Grant, switching to direct loans instead of federal family education loans (FFEL), a $2,500 annual tax credit that will help students pay the cost of tuition, and increases to the Perkins loan program.  Here is the video where President Obama addresses these issues: 

President Obama's budget will make sure that students from across the country afford the cost of attending college. This is a step in the right direction to improve America's higher education.

If we spotlight the impact that the Pell Grant will do if the budget passes, 7 million students from across the country will benefit from this program. For example, there will be 18,117 additional students receiving the Pell Grant in New York, 27,546 additional students receiving the Pell Grant in California, and 14,369 additional students receiving the Pell Grant in Florida. Also, the average Pell Grant award for the 2010-2011 academic year will be $3,541 for Alabama, $3,503 in North Carolina, and $3,583 for Montana.

Find your State's recipient and average grant increases on the Campus Progress website.

President Obama knows the tough battle ahead to put students first. "The banks and the lenders who have reaped a windfall from these subsidies have mobilized an army of lobbyists to try to keep things the way they are" stated President Obama, "They are gearing up for battle.  So am I".  President Obama has made a commitment to students, but there is only so much he can do to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get a higher education. We as young people need to make sure that our voice is heard throughout the budget process. Now is the time to call your representative and tell them to support President Obama's budget.

-USSA

USSA Helping You Solve Your Problems

99problems.org is a website that the league of young voters launched to address the problems that we are facing today. On their latest post, They addressed education and the lack of art and music programs in schools. Hip Hop producer 9th Wonder addresses this problem in this video:

USSA President Carmen Berkley gives a solution to the problem that 9th Wonder talks about. Here is her video:




Young people can make a huge impact by calling our representatives to tell them to prioritize programs that we care about. The voice of our generation is a powerful one so stand up for your right to an education that benefits all students.

You can check out the website to 99problems here.


-USSA

President Carmen Berkley Talks About Credit Card Debt

Yesterday, President Carmen Berkley was interviewed on NPR and talked about student loans and the struggle that students have when it comes to credit card debt. 

Check out the interview here

-USSA

The United States Student Association

The U.S. Student Association (USSA) envisions a just society in which generations of representative leaders understand their power and engage and empower diverse communities to create social change.

The United States Student Association, the country’s oldest and largest national student-led organization, develops current and future leaders and amplifies the student voice at the local, state, and national levels by mobilizing grassroots power to win concrete victories on student issues. 

USSA Foundation: The United States Student Association Foundation ensures the pipeline of effective student leadership by facilitating education, training and other development opportunities at national, state and local levels in advocating for issues that affect students. 

Our blog will provide you with information for students across the country on issues of higher education. 

for more information visit www.usstudents.org