PARTY POSITIONS: On Friday the Democratic National Party unveiled a draft plan of its party platform. With regard to higher education, the party calls for free community college, expanding access to income-based repayment programs for student loans, and cutting interest rates on student loans. “Cost should not be a barrier to getting a degree or credential, and debt should not hold you back after you graduate,” the draft plan states.
Both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders called for government investment to make college more affordable. The plan does not include free tuition at 4-year public colleges and universities, as Sander proposed. The 187-member platform committee will vote on the plan later this week.
