New student loan benefits reduce debt fears

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By JIM TARICANI
Investigative Reporter
Published: July 2, 2009

WARWICK, R.I.—With millions of students relying on federal and state loans to attend college, some new federally funded benefits will make life easier.

Representative Jim Langevin, a co-sponsor of the College Cost Reduction Act, said many students won’t go to college because of the fear of being in debt.

“Others have seen their dream of a college education go unrealized because of student concern of how they could possibly pay for going to college,“ he said.

Charles Kelley, director of the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority, said the recession has students and families looking for loan money.

“The combination of rising tuition costs and the economic situation we’ve seen the highest number of students and families this year than we ever have,“ Kelley said.

Lita Kings is a student at the Community College of Rhode Island. She credits her student loan with giving her a chance for a college education.

“I wouldn’t be able to be in college right now. The Pell Grant has given me the opportunity to return to school without a financial burden on my back,“ she said.

After King finishes at CCRI, she said she wants to go to Johnson & Wales to pursue a culinary degree.