US Senate stumbles on student loan interest rate
The US Senate failed to move a measure that would seek to keep the interest rate for student loans from doubling! We need to ensure that Senators Kyl and McCain know that students are watching and want them to stand strong for students and families by voting to save the interest rate from doubling.
If Congress fails to act by July 1, 2012 the interest rate for Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans will double, rising to 6.8 percent. 7.4 million American students will see the interest rates on their student loans double, effectively raising the average cost of college by over $1,000 for millions of students and their families!
This issue is critical and now is the time to have your voice heard! Let your US Senators know that you are paying attention, and you don’t want them to play politics with student loan interest rates!
ASA is hiring an organizer in the Phoenix Area!
Help win real improvements in students’ lives! A non-profit student association seeks an organizer based in the Phoenix area. Applicants should have an activist background, strong verbal and written communication skills, and an interest in higher education and student issues. The ASA Organizer works closely with ASA Board Members, student government, and ASA statewide staff. The Organizer reports to the ASA Organizing Director. This person spends a majority of their time on their assigned campus. Please see the full announcement and instructions on how to apply here!
Don’t forget to update your voter registration!
Don’t forget to update your voter registration when you move out for the summer! You can update your registration here!
The semester is winding down, and many students are transitioning toward new housing for the summer and next semester. But don’t forget that there are important primary elections to vote in over the summer, and you must be registered at your current address to vote. In Arizona, many of the elections for Congress and the State Legislature are decided in the primary. The voter registration deadline for the summer primaries is July 30 and the elections are August 28.
Update your Arizona voter registration now to ensure the students’ voice is heard in these crucial primary elections! Click here now!
ASA is hiring a UA-based campus organizer
Help win real improvements in students’ lives! ASA seeks a University of Arizona campus organizer. Applicants should have an activist background, strong verbal and written communication skills, and an interest in higher education and student issues. The ASA UA Campus Organizer works closely with ASA Board Members, student government, and ASA statewide staff. The UA Campus Organizer reports to the ASA Organizing Director. This person spends a majority of their time on their assigned campus. For more information and how to apply, click here.
Student loan interest rates may double
On July 1, 2012, student loan interest rates for almost 8 million students will double from 3.4% to 6.8%. In this economy, we cannot double the interest rate on student loans.
The number of college students graduating with significant student loan debt at over $40,000 has tripled in the last decade. Heavy student loan debt has negative ramifications for individuals, families, and the economy.
Until the economy grows strong enough to improve the prospects of the millions of college loan borrowers across the country, Congress should do everything it can to help Americans obtain the higher education and training needed to stay competitive. Time is running out.
When time runs out on July 1, 2012, student loan interest rates will double for almost 8 million students. Without a new plan, they could pay on average $2,800 more on their subsidized Stafford student loans than they otherwise would. Students with the most need will pay an additional $5,000. Now is not the time.
Higher education in America continues to be vital for both individual success as well as the social and economic health of our country. Students and families are struggling to make ends meet and we Congress to act to keep a college education within reach by stopping interest rates on subsidized Stafford student loans from doubling this July.
Tution Hearing Tonight
Tuition hearings are set for tonight on all campuses from 5-7 pm. This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard on this year’s tuition proposals. You can watch it online at http://www.azregents.edu or view it live at these locations:
Arizona State University – Tempe
Memorial Union, Alumni Lodge
Arizona State University – West
University Center Building, (UCB) La Sala Ballroom C
Arizona State University – Polytechnic
Student Union, Cooley Ballroom - B
Arizona State University – Downtown
Nursing & Health Innovation, Building 2, NHI2 Room 110
Northern Arizona University / Flagstaff
Extended Campuses/ AZUN Bldg; True Blue Conference Room, Building #16A, Room 201
Northern Arizona University / Yuma
Academic Complex, Room AC 108
The University of Arizona / Tucson
Student Union, Gallagher Theatre
The University of Arizona / Sierra Vista
Academic Technology Building,B153
The Quality Education & Jobs Act is here!
The Quality Education & Jobs Act, which will provide a real financial aid system for Arizona students, is finally here! But to get this historic measure passed, first we need to gather enough signatures to get it on the ballot in November. That’s where you can make a real difference by talking to fellow students and community members and getting them to sign the petition! E-mail info@azstudents to learn how you can get involved today!
More about the Quality Education & Jobs Act:
Next year, Prop 100, a temporary 1 cent sales tax ends, meaning that the state will need to once again cut $1 billion dollars from the universities and K-12 education resulting in even more drastic increases in tuition, more teacher lay offs, and even bigger class sizes. That’s why a grassroots initiative was formed to get a proposal on the ballot that will provide stable funding for K-12 and higher education, specifically scholarships for students so that we won’t be facing more cuts next year.
The Quality Education and Jobs Act will strengthen the state’s recovering economy and help schoolchildren and higher educations students statewide. The ballot measure, which asks voters to renew the one-cent sales tax in November, would do the following:
• Higher Education/Universities: Funds university merit and needs-based scholarships for university students, creates community college scholarships, invest in vocational and GED training, and funds university operations
• K-12: Protects school funding from legislative cuts, improve K-12 accountability by funding a system that gives immediate feedback about achievement to teachers and parents, and creates a K-12 performance-funding system
• Children: Restore KidsCare funding for children living under the poverty line and establishes a program to provide grants to reduce hunger, homelessness, family violence and child care
• Public Safety, Jobs & Transportation: Funds new road, rail and transport projects statewide to create jobs, aid commerce, improve safety and fund public safety officers
Students welcome Kaitlin Thompson as new NAU student regent
FLAGSTAFF, ARIZ - The Associated Students of Northern Arizona University (ASNAU), the Graduate Student Government of Northern Arizona University (GSG), and the Arizona Students’ Association welcome Kaitlin Thompson as the new student regent on the Arizona Board of Regents.
“We are so excited to have Kaitlin as the next Student Regent,” said NAU Student Body President Blaise Caudill. “We have full faith that Kaitlin will represent the student voice well on the Board of Regents.”
Thompson, a political science junior who expects to graduate in May and continue at NAU as a graduate student, was confirmed by the Arizona State Senate to serve a two-year term on the Board of Regents. Next, her appointment will go to the full Legislature for a vote and be confirmed.
If confirmed, Thompson’s term will begin in July when voting Student Regent William Holmes’ term ends. She will join ASU Student Regent Tyler Bower, who will step into the role of voting Student Regent.
Thompson’s experience includes working as an intern for the Governor’s office, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, serving as elections commissioner for the Associated students of NAU, and membership in the Blue Key National Honor Society.
Since September, ASNAU and GSG have conducted a rigorous search in order to forward the most qualified candidates. A search committee was formed that took on the task of reaching out to as many students, faculty members and stakeholders as possible. The most qualified candidates were forwarded to Governor Brewer, who then selected Kaitlin Thompson.
“I’m excited, and I’m going into it knowing it’s how important and serious this responsibility is,” Thompson said. “I’m excited to advocate for students, and I will work hard to ensure student voices are heard on the Board of Regents.”
Thompson said her main focuses on the Board will be graduations rates, textbooks and parking costs.
Tuition Hearing March 28
The Arizona Board of Regents is set to hold its public, interactive tuition hearing March 28 from 5-7 pm during a live video conference help on campuses all over the state. This your chance to have your voice heard about your universities tuition proposals, which will be voted on during the Regents meeting scheduled for April 5-6 at the University of Arizona. For more information and to see where the hearing is broadcast to your campus, please click here.
ASNAU and GSG forward Student Regent candidates to Governor
The Associated Students of Northern Arizona University (ASNAU) and the Graduate Student Government of Northern Arizona University (GSG), announced the finalists for the Student Regent to the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), which were forwarded to Gov. Brewer.
Since September, ASNAU and GSG have conducted a rigorous search in order to forward the most qualified candidates. A search committee was formed that took on the task of reaching out to as many students, faculty members and stakeholders as possible.
The steering committee that oversaw this process included the following: Blaise Caudill, ASNAU Student Body President; Johan Bodaski, Graduate Student Body President; Jennifer Ginther, former regent; Dr. Rick Brandel, NAU Dean of Students; Brianna Gomez, Residence Hall Association President; and Robyn Nebrich, Executive Director of the Arizona Students’ Association.
The top three candidates in alphabetical order are: Ryan Lee, Kaitlin Thompson, and Rachel Young. All are students at Northern Arizona University.