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GCC to host college loan, debt hearing Monday

 

Students, parents invited to testify

Greenfield Recorder 09/27/2013, Page C03

By CHRIS SHORES Recorder Staff

GREENFIELD — Students, parents and community members have the chance to tell state legislators their thoughts on higher education loans and debt Mondayafternoon at Greenfield Community College.

The Legislature’s Joint Subcommittee on Student Loans and Debt is visiting public colleges and universities throughout the state over the next few months.

The legislators will be available at a 2 p.m. talk in GCC’s dining commons.

Rep. Paul Mark, co-chairman of the subcommittee and a Franklin County legislator who represents Greenfield, hopes the hearings will help bring about real solutions to help lower the cost of school for students. He and his wife, both graduates of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, pay $750 a month in student loans.

“That’s money that’s not being saved, that’s not going back into the local economy.”

He’s said that the state may be able to encourage better savings practices, create targeted loan forgiveness programs and promote the benefits of quality, affordable education at public colleges and universities.

GCC President Robert Pura will be among those testifying at Monday’s hearing.