MARCIA FUDGE APRIL 2014 NEWSLETTER

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Dear Friend,
 

I am a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee and an advocate for all people to have equal access to a valuable education.  Part of my goal is to expose students to college entry requirements and the financial options available to them.  Earlier this month, I hosted a college fair and invited higher education institutions from around the country to participate.  Details about the event and other education-related stories are below, including a consumer advisory about student loans.  

 

 

Military Academy Appointments

Each year, I nominate talented high school students to a military academy of their choice after an extensive application and interviewing process. Thus far, five students have been offered an appointment by an academy. If they accept, the students will receive an exceptional education and dedicate five years of active duty service to our great nation. Please join me in congratulating: 

 

 

Do You Have A Co-Signer For Your Student Loans?

Many college students must borrow money to pay for their higher education. The federal government offers several low interest rate loans, but too often students do not exhaust this option.  Instead, they obtain high interest rate loans from private lenders that bury clauses in the fine print.

 

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently released a consumer alert for borrowers with private student loans, warning that they can be subject to default even if they have kept up with their payments.  These borrowers were in compliance with the loan requirements but had a co-signer on their loan who either passed away or went into bankruptcy.  Through no fault of their own, they were automatically forced into default or required to pay off the loan immediately.  To learn more about the report, please visit the CFPB website.

 

 

It is imperative to ask a private lender what co-signer rules are in the contract before borrowing money.  I encourage students to first seek loans from the federal government rather than private institutions since these loans provide flexible repayment plans and generally do not require a co-signer.  Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive a federal loan. The deadline for Ohio is June 30, 2015.  However, some schools may have an earlier deadline, so students should check with the institution they are interested in attending.  As always, contact my office if you need assistance. 

 

Watch Rep. Fudge and Department of Education  Secretary Arne Duncan discuss expanding Pell Grants for students dually enrolled and in early college programs during  an Education and the Workforce Committee Hearing.

 

 

Agriculture College and Career Fair

I hosted the district’s first Agriculture College and Career Fair on April 19, 2014 at Case Western Reserve University.  This free event was attended by high school and college-age students interested in furthering their education or exploring internships in agriculture or related fields.  I appreciate the many colleges, organizations and government agencies that participated in the fair: Case Western Reserve University; Central State University; Cuyahoga Community College, Division of Health Careers and Sciences; Florida A&M University; Kent State University; Kentucky State University; Langston University; Lincoln University; Lorain County Community College; The Ohio State University, The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; and Tuskegee University; Cleveland Botanical Garden, Green Corps Program; Community Greenhouse Partners; College Now of Greater Cleveland; Farm Credit, Mid-America; Ohio State University Extension, Cuyahoga County Youth Advocacy & Leadership Program; USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach; and the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

 

 

Marcia L. Fudge
Member of Congress