WASHINGTON – In a half-hour session Monday afternoon that seemed to pass faster than a New York minute, U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., spoke and fielded a range of questions about education from about 40 media professionals attending a two-day Education Writers Association seminar titled “Covering Higher Education’s New Political La
A growing student loan default crisis and college affordability are among the biggest topics in education, and the new chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce found himself talking much about affordability.
The committee will actively explore ways to reduce the cost of college and continue to look into student loan servicing, he said.
“My feeling is we should increase Pell grants,” Scott said. “That’s going to be part of the debate.”
Asked about the possibility of the federal government discharging all outstanding federal student loan debt, Scott said the idea “might be nice.” But he suggested alternatives such as helping borrowers repay through affordable income-based plans, community service incentives and tax deductions for interest and perhaps principle paid on loans.
“I think a total discharge is a little unrealistic,” he said.
