U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today welcomed Diane Barrans, Chief Executive of the Alaska Student Loan Corporation (ASLC), to Washington, DC to represent Alaska in a discussion with other education experts and advocates from around the country about college affordability and student loans. Begich, chair of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, who hosted the meeting, led a discussion on making student loans more accessible, college more affordable, and innovative ideas to simplify the process of applying for financial aid. Following the meeting, Begich and Barrans met for a one-on-one discussion about the progress Alaska has made to make student loans more accessible and increasing financial literacy for students.

Begich, an advocate for keeping interest rates low on student loans and former chair of the Alaska Student Loan Corporation, voted in favor of the “Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate hike Act of 2012” which failed in the Senate last month. Federal student loan rates are set to double on July 1 from 3.4% to 6.8% if the Senate fails to pass a fix.

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