Student Loans/Grants

Student loans and grants can be a primary concern amongst college students. Below are the main presidential candidates' views on this issue.

Barack Obama (Democratic Jr Senator (IL)):
* Create the American Opportunity Tax Credit: Obama will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans, and will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. Obama will also ensure that the tax credit is available to families at the time of enrollment by using prior year's tax data to deliver the credit when tuition is due.
* Simplify the Application Process for Financial Aid: Obama will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application

Hillary Clinton (Democratic Jr Senator (NY)):
* Create a new $3,500 college tax credit.
* Increase the maximum Pell Grant.
* Strengthen community colleges through a $500 million investment.
* Create a graduation fund to increase college graduation rates.
* Increase to $10,000 the college scholarship for those who participate in AmeriCorps full-time for one year.
* Get rid of the red tape in financial aid.
* Hold college costs down and hold colleges accountable for results though an online college cost calculator, a college graduation and employment rate index, and truth in tuition disclosure.
* Challenge selective colleges to expand access for students from low-income communities.

John McCain (Republican Sr Senator (AZ)):
While an advocate of charter schools and school vouchers, McCain believes that more than the market is needed for schools to produce educated, thoughtful and well-rounded citizens. He’s mentioned starting a corps of retired professionals to tutor children, teaching values in school, and helping unqualified teachers find another career (while rewarding effective teachers). McCain has not overlooked higher education, co-sponsoring the Education A-Plus Bill allowing parents to open tax-free savings account for education and related expenses. He is a proponent of states taking the lead in education.