Debt Free College
Each American should have a right to a college education without incurring oppressive levels of debt. However, states are disinvesting from public higher education at an alarming rate, tax policies that benefit big business and billionaires are robbing us of badly needed funds, and 43 million people are being crushed by student debt. Simply put, the system is rigged and we need to act in order to fix it.
In an effort to make college without debt a reality and reduce the burden of student debt for those that have it, the American Federation of Teachers is working with our members and community partners to organize and mobilize towards achieving necessary political power. That is why in every back to school state, we’re encouraging members to share your story with us. We want to hear from you, and have you join our team of tens of thousands of members saying we need to fix this rigged system now. Fill out the survey, it only takes 2 minutes, and will create the road map we need to engage our union brothers and sisters across the country to make our vision reality.
Print out the survey sheet and put it on your New Employee Orientation table.
Key points on which to agitate new hires:
- 43+ million people are suffering from student debt
- 66% of $1.3 Trillion is held by people 39 and younger
- Women and people of color suffer from student debt at a more intense level than their white and male counterparts
- Programs like income driven repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness are on the chopping block every year, we must act
Student Debt Clinics
AFT is working with members and community partners to organize and mobilize towards achieving necessary political power tn order to make the vision of college without debt a reality. But this is not just a fight for future students. AFT is rolling out the Student Debt Clinic organizing program to provide our members with the information they need to enroll in income-driven student loan repayment programs and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Most importantly, The Student Debt Clinic (SDC) organizing program assists in identifying and mobilizing a core of activists towards achieving strategic organizing, political, and legislative goals set forth by the AFT, state affiliates and local affiliates.
To get involved, download the documents below. After that, email debtclinics@aft.org to set up a preliminary conversation with one of the AFT master trainers.