SIGN THIS: Forgive Student Loan Debt!
I’ve personally seen how student loan debt can destroy a young adult’s chances at financial independence just because of the social pressure to go to college and get an advanced degree, even if these undergraduate degrees mean jack shit in today’s job market. Please, anyone who has not yet signed this petition, I don’t usually believe that signing petitions will get anyone anywhere, but this is one cause I believe in so strongly that I can’t let it go. Please sign this.
For all the guys and gals who worked their asses off in college on student loans, yet are now desperately working retail while living at home as their paper diplomas collect dust, we need to fight the system.
I don’t think any bill or any legislation will ever completely forgive student loan debt. But any way for those in debt to apply for any partial forgiveness under qualifying conditions would be a huge step in the right direction. As it stands now, even bankruptcy doesn’t escape student loan debt.
Weird this shows up on my dash today, I was just talking about this kind of thing with my co-worker.
I don’t know why the US doesn’t just employ a system like we have here in Australia.
Every University here has positions for two kind of students: Those who can pay up front, and those who apply with a Government loan.
The Intrest Free Government loan, also known as a HELP loan, ONLY has to be paid back in installments when you are earning over a certain amount. Theoretically if you never earn over that amount you never have to pay it back. The assumption is because you have a degree, eventually you will use it to find employment which will allow you to earn a salary over that amount.
I find that entirely fair. Those who have families in financial situations which can pay off University fees straight off can do so. Paying up front and making voluntary payment contributions early also givse you a discount on your total fees. And those who cannot afford the same, STILL have the same opportunity to attend whichever University accepts them for whichever degree they desire on a loan with a system that allows for repayments when you are financially able and is not going to crush you before you even reach the employment security the degree was supposed to give you in the first place.
In fact if you’re in a low financial threshold, the Government PAYS YOU TO STUDY.
These things were absolute life savers for me. I feel completely fortunate for being able to take advantage of them and I actually had the time to find a job working in my industry applicable to my qualification without worrying about a huge debt chasing me down into whatever employment necessary. I really wish everyone could live in a fair system like that.
People do need to be smarter though. It’s important to research where employability lies so you can also do your own part in making sure you’ll be able to secure a job after you graduate.
That’s the path I personally took, rather than going for something entirely fun all the time I did some hard research then combined two of my interests for something that was going to be in demand in the job market. Computers & technology + Creative Arts = Multimedia. I studied it, learned a lot, did some things I hated, did some things I absolutely LOVED, graduated and now found a job in the field and could not be happier.
Honestly, even if you think there’s some parts of your degree you hate that is NOT the only thing you’ll be doing when you find a job. I really hated some subjects I took, but they gave me an invaluable base of knowledge for the fun stuff I do at work now.
Sometimes a little bit of sacrifice is necessary.
Here is my question though. Who picks up the tab if students potentially never have to pay their education for whatever reason. It sounds like the government from what I understand? But essentially isn’t that you, the people of Australia, who pay for these educations through taxes by the government? Or does the government grab money from some place? That’s the only part I find unfair/fishy is it sounds like the people of Australia are potentially picking up the tab for A LOT of students and that shouldn’t be their job, in my opinion. I do see the pros though, but just curious about the cons. Schooling is a tricky thing but I do echo the need for a cheaper alternative/solutions (its ridiculous how useless some of your teachings can be in a few years compared to the price you pay for them) AND to just be smart about what you choose for a career field and its availability. Very wise words.
Gov picking up the tab?
Um.
SO? AND…???
I LITERALLY cannot think of anything better I would rather have my tax dollars spent on than education.
MAYBE healthcare is just as important??
But god DAMN, spend my money on education. pre-college and college. Spend it on education. 1.25 BILLION (with a B) for two air craft carriers? OH MY GOD, GIVE US BACK THAT MONEY.
If We The People were picking up the tab for more people’s educations when the economy was in the tank, maybe that would motivate us to improve the job market when college grads can’t find decent (or any jobs). Maybe we’d start treating employment as a matter of civic responsibility and public good, instead of poking and prodding at the economy from the outside and hoping we find the right combination of giving corporations more money that will trick them into using it to hire people. Companies pocketing record profits built on downsizing and forcing fewer people to do more work for less money wouldn’t be seen as “just business” but as something like dumping toxic waste into the water… especially when those corporations aren’t paying into the public coffers.
