WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Ashley Hinson (IA-02), Zach Nunn (IA-03), and Michael Guest (MS-03) introduced the Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act, legislation that would require Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) to counsel students before any federal loans are disbursed. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) recently introduced companion legislation in the United States Senate.
This legislation comes as the U.S. Supreme Court considers two legal challenges to the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan.
“Despite efforts by President Biden and Democrats to ‘forgive’ student loans, they are still a major financial commitment and should be treated as such,” said Representative Miller-Meeks. “Before taking out federal student loans, proper counseling for students should be required. We must ensure our students are equipped with the guidance needed to make an informed decision and that they understand the process to pay these loans back.”
“When prospective students consider the full cost of college tuition, our colleges and universities should counsel them through the student loan process,” said Representative Feenstra. “Too often, our young people are saddled with debt, but lack no clear plan to pay back their loans. That’s unacceptable. I am proud to support this commonsense legislation to ensure that Iowa students have the information they need to make the best financial decisions for their future.”
“Too many young people take on student debt without a full understanding of the long-term financial implications – the Biden Administration is only perpetuating this problem through their student loan ‘forgiveness’ scheme. Our commonsense legislation will require higher education institutions to provide students with resources and counseling so they can make a fully informed decision about taking out federal student loans,” said Representative Hinson.
“Making the decision to take on debt to pay for higher education is a big decision for young Iowans, so we want them to be empowered with all the resources needed to make that decision,” said Representative Nunn. “It’s important for students to know exactly what they are getting into before making a commitment, and that’s why we are here to ensure Iowans know before they owe.”
“The goal of a college education is to set students up for success, but the cost of tuition is often difficult to calculate and can become a burden following graduation. I’m proud to join Congresswoman Miller-Meeks on this important legislation that would streamline the information that prospective students and families need to make informed decisions about their education. This legislation will help those students find colleges and universities that are affordable so they can quickly meet occupational goals following graduation in the most cost-efficient manner,” said Representative Guest.
“I often hear from Iowa families who are frustrated and confused by the complex student loan borrowing process. So much of the student debt conversation focuses on repaying debt. We ought to fix the process on the front-end before students get in over their head. The federal government should be offering commonsense resources to better prepare borrowers,” said Senator Grassley. “The Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act would provide additional student loan counseling so that America’s next generation of leaders can pursue higher education opportunities without breaking the bank.”
Background:
The Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act would require IHEs to counsel students before loans are disbursed, require students to manually enter, either in writing or through electronic means, the exact dollar amount of funding requested, and require that students receive regular loan statements throughout their undergraduate career.