By Judy Jewsome
District Representative

Rep. Boyda's constituent services office regularly hears from Kansans about a wide range of concerns, including problems related to their federal student aid. When faced with issues regarding the repayment of student loans, we work with the Ombudsman's Office of the Department of Education in addressing and resolving those issues. Likewise, when the request is for information on the availability of scholarships and grant programs, we work with the Kansas State Board of Regents to locate possible solutions.

Access to education has been a widely discussed topic both in Kansas and in Washington this year. Congress has spent a great deal of time addressing the benefits that higher education provides to the individual, to society and to our country, as well as the government's role in ensuring that those benefits are available to students who seek higher education.

In September of this year, the College Cost Reduction Act passed Congress by a wide, bipartisan margin and with Rep. Boyda's strong support. It is apparent from the bill's passage that Congress believes education is the pathway to greatness and that American government has a role in keeping that path free from unnecessary financial barriers.

The legislation includes several important provisions that may affect your student loans or help make college more affordable to you and your children. For example, the Act provides for Loan Forgiveness for public service employees after the public service employee has made 120 monthly payments on the Federal Direct Loan (after October 1, 2007), and the employee has held a public service job at the time that each of the 120 payments were made.

Additionally, the Act provides for income-based payments for those individuals who qualify for hardship relief. It also actively reduces the burden and eases the adjustment period for returning military personnel by providing for the deferment of student loan payments for 13 months after their service ends.

Perhaps most importantly, the Act cuts the interest rates on federal student loans from the current 6.8 percent rate to 3.4 percent over the next 5 years, which will save students an average of $4,500 over the life of their loans.

For more information about how the College Cost Reduction Act affects your particular case, please do not hesitate to contact our office in Topeka at (785) 234-8111 or in Pittsburg at (620) 231-3011. We would be happy to assist you.