Resolution to Avoid Doubling Student Loan Interest Rates Passes

SACRAMENTO — On a 70-1 vote the California State Assembly, June 6, approved the resolution by Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) urging Congress to act swiftly to avoid a doubling of student loan interest rates.

Under current federal law, Federal Direct Stafford Loan interest rates will jump to 6.8 percent from the present 3.4 percent on July 1, unless Congress passes legislation to avert the increase. The resolution received unanimous, bipartisan support in committee.

California’s UC, CSU and community college students have seen student fees skyrocket within the past years, resulting in many students graduating tens of thousands of dollars in debt. If interest rates rise on July 1, students taking out loans will see the cost of their education increase thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.