Opening the Doors of Opportunity Through Education

An open door

The state opened doors for students with disabilities when it decided to recognize those earning modified diplomas as graduates — not just completers — who are now eligible for federal financial aid. “It’s really big news,” said Ashland High School Principal Michelle Zundel, who attended sessions in Salem on the

Senator Merkley Pushes for a Bill to Reduce Student Debt

A couple years back, student debt surpassed credit card debt in the U.S. U.S. Senator Merkely supports a bill that would allow students with high interest loans to refinance them. The bill was filibustered last session, but Merkley hopes to revisit it. “I view college as a public good that

Merkley Holds Hearing on Economic Challenges Facing Young Workers and Recent Grads

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the Chair of the Senate Banking Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Policy, held a hearing yesterday on the economic challenges facing young workers and recent high school and college graduates. The hearing, titled “Dreams Deferred: Young Workers & Recent Grads in U.S. Economy,” focused on

Merkley: Seize ‘the American dream’

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley asked Clatsop Community College’s Class of 2014 Friday to stand up if they were first-generation college students. Promptly, more than half of those graduating were out of their seats. Merkley, a first-generation university student and now a senator facing re-election in five months, promised to fight

Republican Blockade of Student Loan Bill Leaves Students and Economy Behind

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Republicans in the Senate filibustered a bill that would allow students and graduates to refinance student loans into lower interest rates: “When the people’s representatives put millionaires and billionaires before middle-class students who are struggling under the weight of

Merkley Welcomes Expansion of Income-Based Student Loan Repayment Options

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley welcomed the announcement from the White House today that the administration will expand income-based repayment options for federal student loans, making higher education more affordable for as many as 5 million Americans. The new plan will expand a 2010 law that allows students with

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