Without opposition, the U.S. House passed Democratic Representative Stephanie Murphy's amendment that will help transfer students understand the effects that changing schools will have on their student loans.
Speaking on the proposal, Murphy explained that "As a former college instructor, I know that far too many students are struggling with excessive debt that hurts their ability to succeed when they graduate. My initiative will empower students to make the best academic and financial decisions for their future, putting fewer students in the position of having transferred only to find out that very few of the credits they worked so hard to earn will count towards their degree. From allowing federal loans to be renegotiated to increasing funding for Pell Grants, I will keep fighting to empower students and to make higher education more affordable for more families.”
She then explained that "I believe my amendment will be particularly helpful to students who are enrolled in community or state colleges and are seeking to transfer to a four-year program. Many students who live in my central Florida district are in precisely this position. Notably, the University of Central Florida—which I am proud to represent—has established a strong transfer program in partnership with six state and community colleges throughout Florida, including Valencia College and Seminole State College in my district. The program is called ‘DirectConnect to UCF.’ In general, it guarantees students admission if they have earned an associate degree from a partner college, and the credits earned by the student at the partner college typically transfer to UCF. This is exactly the sort of transfer program that my amendment will encourage students to utilize."
Finally, she concluded that "Collectively, Americans owe a crushing $1.4 trillion dollars in student debt. As someone who is still paying off her own student loans, I know there is far more we can and should do to ensure that students are not saddled with excessive debt and are prepared to succeed after graduation. Nevertheless, I am encouraged that we are taking a step in the right direction today by considering this important legislation. By increasing transparency in the student loan process as it relates to credit transfers, we will provide our students with the information they need to make the best educational and financial decisions for themselves.”
