Students: tuition hikes tap debt capacity of middle class

Using the debt capacity of middle-income families and students to balance the budget is not a sound funding mechanism. Washington students’ reliance on loans is estimated at $1 billion every year with the average student borrower now taking out $7,000 each year. For an entering freshman this will amount to $28,000 of debt upon graduation if they are lucky enough to graduate on time with the currents cuts proposed to higher education.

In response to the Governor’s remarks on more federal assistance being available to students Morgan Holmgren, Legislative Liaison for the Associated Students of Western Washington University noted, "The federal government has provided for increased financial aid and a tax credit to make college more affordable for students and families, not more affordable for the state."