Chris Dodd understands that meeting today’s challenges will require the most educated generation in this country’s history – that in today’s increasingly global economy, America’s leadership, economy, and national security all rest on our commitment to educating and preparing our people for success.
With a lifetime spent strengthening America’s schools, Chris Dodd is now offering the most ambitious and comprehensive higher education plan by any Presidential candidate to make college affordable and accessible to every American. The Dodd plan will guarantee that no American is ever denied a college education because of cost.
- Chris Dodd will provide an opportunity for free community college to every American.
- The Dodd plan will raise Pell Grants and reduce the cost of college student loans.
- Chris Dodd will reform the student loan system to ensure federal dollars go to student aid instead of corporate profits.
The Dodd Plan: Making College Affordable and Accessible
- Ending Corporate Welfare on Student Loans: The Dodd Plan will end the outdated corporate subsidies for banks and increase competition for lower interest rates on student loans by requiring banks to compete in a federally run auction to offer federal student loans. Excessive profits at the expense of the taxpayer will be eliminated and redirected to student aid so that college is more affordable for young Americans and their families.
- Community College for All: The Dodd plan will partner with states to subsidize in-state tuition at public community colleges for students earning credit towards an associate’s degree. The Dodd plan will match dollar for dollar any tuition reduction offered by the state. Under this plan community college can be free for every American.
- Raising the Pell Grant. The Dodd plan will increase the Pell Grant by $100 each year to ensure that qualified, hard working low- and moderate-income students can afford college without taking out an exorbitant amount of student loans. In a Dodd Administration, students will not be shut out of college because of cost.
- Putting a Spotlight on the Skyrocketing Cost of Tuition: A Dodd Administration will use the power of the Presidency to bring to light schools whose tuition unreasonably outpaces inflation. By annually publishing a tuition inflation index and a list of colleges and universities whose tuition exceeds it, Chris Dodd believes we can provide students and families with a better idea of how much they can expect to pay for higher education while encouraging schools to act responsibly.
- Protecting Students from Unscrupulous Lenders: President Dodd will continue his leadership on this issue by extending new protections to private student loans in order to improve transparency, prevent unfair and deceptive private lending practices and eliminate conflicts of interest.
