Allan Hancock College Students Join Congressman Carbajal For Degrees, Not Debt
Jarrod Zinn
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Congressman Salud Carbajal announced this morning he’s re-introducing a bill regarding the cost of college.
Staff and students from Cuesta College and Cal Poly joined with those from Allan Hancock College this morning to celebrate the reintroduction of the congressman’s legislation to increase financial aid for college students.
“I was grateful to be flanked and joined by many of our administrators or presidents of our local community colleges, students, administrators that were here voicing their support,” says Rep. Salud Carbajal, (D) California.
The bill was first introduced in February of 2024, but stalled due to congressional gridlock as well as competing legislation, including the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
“The big, ugly bill that you have heard much about goes to actually reduce financial aid for the United States,” said the congressman at the podium.
The Education Data Initiative has revealed the average college graduate enters the work force carrying almost $40,000 in debt.
“I can’t imagine working, having to pay off debt, having to pay for groceries, books and still trying to get to class,” says Annabelle Ruiz, Allan Hancock Student Body President.
The Pew Research Center says roughly 35% of college graduates with a bachelor’s degree between ages 25-40 say their education was not worth a lifetime of debt.
“It’s scary,” says Ruiz. “I think that’s what deters me from going to really a four year, just looking at the costs. And then I realize that FAFSA has a cap on actually how much debt you can take out.”
The ‘Degrees Not Debt’ act seeks to increase the maximum award for federal Pell Grants, and to reduce student debt after graduation.
“It would, in essence, double the Pell Grant award opportunities and it would index it for inflation for the future, thereby reducing the burden that many students face with student loan debt,” says Congressman Carbajal.
The congressman says student loan debt outweighs credit card debt.
Some students say they even have to slow their education in the face of inflation, and a quote “two-year degree” is more often taking five years or more to complete.
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