Loans, college affordability unifying issue for young voters
Young voters are worried about their futures under the next president, but what those worries are depends on who you ask. But they tend to agree that one issue is important: college affordability
"It seems like every year we hear USC and other universities are getting their funding cut, which means students will end up paying more," said Caroline Hendricks, a medical student and Greenville native in her second year at the Medical University of South Carolina. "It's crazy how much tuition has increased since our parents were in school, even taking into account inflation."
College affordability has been a centerpiece of both Democratic candidates' campaigns. Sen. Bernie Sanders has proposed free tuition for all students at public colleges and universities, while former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would make it free only for middle- and working-class students attending public and historically black colleges and universities
"I know I'm strapped with student debt. We’re going to have to face that for the rest of our lives," said Alex Askew, a 30-year-old organizer for Sanders. "It's something we deal with and something we see as a huge issue for us. We want the opportunity to build wealth and see our families prosper."
In a visit to Greenville this week, President Bill Clinton detailed his wife Hillary Clinton's plan for college affordability and student loans, which includes a loan repayment program that would tie monthly payments to how much the debtor owes. University of South Carolina junior Jada Williams, a Spartanburg native and Hillary for America fellow, said Hillary Clinton's plan would make her feel secure when she pursues a career in broadcast journalism, which can have low-paying entry-level positions.
"I’m not going to be making a lot of money coming out of college," Williams said. "I would like the comfort of knowing that I will be able to pay the bills and have money left over to put food in my apartment."
Student loans are an important issue for some young Republicans as well. Kendall Cole, a 23-year-old nurse who has not decided who she will vote for, completed two bachelor's degrees in five years at Erskine College and Anderson University. She said she wants to choose a candidate with a strong plan for affordability and loan debt.
Cole was at an Anderson event for Sen. Marco Rubio, where her brother gave the invocation. Rubio has made technical education and life experience credits part of his education plan.
But for others, like Trent Larkins, the public relations director for the Upstate Young Republicans, college affordability is not on their short list of priorities. Immigration policy and national security are the biggest concerns for Larkins, a supporter of Sen. Ted Cruz.
"I'm not for amnesty at all, and neither is Ted Cruz," Larkins said.