Columbia, SC— Today the South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison denounced efforts by Republicans in Congress to let the Perkins Loans Program expire.
The Perkins Loans program is set to expire at the end of this month. These loans are invaluable tools that help low-income and minority students get access to the funds needed to pay for higher education. I personally was a recipient of a Perkins Loan and without it would have been unable to pay for my college education. Let me be clear, without this program, I would not have been able to afford to pay my tuition or buy my books and would have had to drop out of college. There are so many low income students who do and can benefit from this program.
“With the cost of college rising higher than the inflation rate, students need all the help they can get to pay for college. Right now, Republicans in congress are playing politics with our children’s education.
“Anyone who is willing to work hard deserves an opportunity to attend college and get a good paying job that they can raise a family on. Senator Tim Scott and Governor Nikki Haley have claimed over the past few months that they are fighting to provide greater opportunity for all, well here is a perfect opportunity for them demonstrate their leadership. They need to pick up the phone and call Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to express their unwavering support for this invaluable program. It is time for the Republicans to stop talking about investing in the education of our future leaders and actually do it.”
