On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, promised to restore and strengthen rules that allow students who believe they were defrauded by their colleges to apply for loan forgiveness.
Klobuchar, who earlier served as an attorney for Hennepin County, released a detailed plan outlining 100 concrete steps that she would take in her first 100 days as president if elected to office.
For students in for-profit colleges, Klobuchar promised to hold these schools accountable if they prioritize profits above students by requiring their vocational programs to show that they provide gainful employment for their students.
The proposal plans to repeal Title IX regulations proposed under the Trump Administration and restore guidances that call for universities to protect students from sexual violence.
Klobuchar’s plan also includes removing barriers to higher education for homeless and foster youth by implementing grant programs that identify, recruit and prepare homeless and foster students for college.
She also proposed making a historic investment in public education, which includes an increase in teachers, pay, closing the opportunity gap, fully funding IDEA, boosting STEM education and apprenticeship opportunities, and rebuilding school infrastructures.
Pete Buttigieg and Julián Castro, two candidates who are also eyeing the Democratic presidential nomination, recently released their respective campaign proposals to overhaul the education system in the country to make it more affordable and accessible.
Buttigieg proposed creating a federal partnership that will make public tuition affordable for all and completely free for those from lower income households. He also called for increasing Pell Grants, which help students with basic living expenses and keep up with inflation.
Castro proposed eliminating tuition at public colleges, universities, community colleges, and technical and vocational schools, as well as investing $3 billion per year to provide financial support for low-income students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions.
Julián Castro’s Education Plan Promises Free College, Support to HBCUs