With the recent decrease in the amount of semesters that a student can receive the Pell Grant it is getting harder for students to obtain the college degrees that are becoming necessary in today's society. There are many programs, especially in the STEM fields, that require specific course sequences that are becoming more difficult to finish in the normal time frame due to increasing standards. In order to ensure that students can achieve their goals without going into serious debt we need to restore Pell Grant eligibility to a term of 18 semesters.

Mental illness has been stigmatized in America for several years. Even today, with all the bills that have been passed to eliminate it's stigma and the protesting done in efforts to see that it be treated the same as a physical illness, it still continues to be a topic that serves as something people are scared or make fun of. Those who have suffered or continue to suffer from something that isn't there fault are being ridiculed and made seem like they are different than everyone else. Well it's time to erase the judgement and fear surrounding mental illness. We need to create programs that teach children and young adults that having a metal illness isn't a joke. It is a serious disease that should not be made fun of. We need to educate to eliminate stigma!

During these difficult financial times and due to the escalating costs of higher eductation, it would become a considerable help for many to have access to a 401K (without penalties) when withdrawn directly and expressly for funding higher education.

I am half-way through a Master's Degree program and just got news that I am no longer eligible for my student plus loan due to recent changes in the government. Because my home went into foreclosure this year I can not get a student loan. If I pull out of school because I can't pay right now I can not file bankruptcy to cover the previous loans because the Banks are protected and students are not. Either way I can't go further and I can't stop without major consequences due to these laws.

I am half-way through a Master's Degree program and just got new that I am no longer eligible for my student plus loan due to recent changes in the government. Because my home went into foreclosure this year I can not get a student loan. If I pull out of school because I can't pay right now I can not file bankruptcy to cover the previous loans because the Banks are protected and students are not. Either way I can't go further and I can't stop without major consequences due to these laws.

I was recently denied a student loan due to a foreclosure on my home this year. I was told the government changed the rules and is not making it harder for students to get the Plus loan. Also if a student has to file bankruptcy the banks are protected and the student can not include a student loan in a bankruptcy. With the recent economic decline and more people trying to go back and get re-educated the system is set up completely against self improvement and the next generation getting an education. We need the government to protect people not big banks.

In today's global economy, without post-secondary education young people have an extremely high chance of becoming destitute, then marginalized and a real burden for the entire society at some point in their lives. At a time when unemployed have created for the first time a Union of their own let's create the conditions to eliminate unemployment. Learning at least one trade which will enable them to be immediately productive for the society should be free of charge and compulsory. Instead of having tax-payers money allocated for unemployment and welfare (which are largely the effects of poor education) why not pay for eliminating the root-cause?

We have made great strides this year against bullying with the passage of Matt's Safe School Law, however more needs to be done. Currently no laws have been passed regarding cyber bullying which is currently on the rise. Victims of cyber bullying aren't able to escape the harassment inflicted on them by their peers by going home as with traditional bullying. Victims of cyber bulling have no safe place.

Sometime disabled students get sick and have to drop semesters to get well. However with the new laws in place even the disabled are subject to a limited number of Pell Grants. I believe that education will make a stronger economy but when you stop Pell Grants you cut off your nose dispite your face as a country. Let's not allow the U.S. take away our education, let's get them to see its education we need to build a stronger economy.

Books for college can cost hundreds of dollars, just for one class! That is already on top of the outrageous cost of tuition and fees. There needs to be a cap on these fees, tuition and books. Education should be affordable to everyone, not just the wealthy.

While interest rates are at an all time low, student loan rates for college and graduate students are running from 6.8-7.90%, are non-dischargeable in bankruptcy, and due to recent changes by Congress, require interest to be paid by the students while in school. This heavy burden will force some students to leave school and cause others decades to repay, as tuition rates spiral while colleges and universities make millions. The interest rates need to be reduced and the debts made dischargeable

Being single most of my adult life and having to pay my own way through school but having to still take out student loans to make my education occur, I have been paying over 10 years. I feel there should be a limit on how many years you are tied down to such debt if you have paid consistantly for 10 years. There should be a break off period. I will never get ahead for taking a chance on myself to have an education. It is not like I have a masters degree; only a B.S. (ironically). We need someone to help those of us who have paid and paid to not be a burden on society so that we don't become a burden to ourselves for having gone to college. HELP!!!