Press Releases

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) says new guidelines released by the U.S. Department of Education will make college more affordable for more students. Today, the U.S. Department of Education published new rules that relax eligibility requirements for students and parents of students with debt who apply for the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program.

As a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson urged Secretary Arne Duncan and the Department to reexamine eligibility requirements to assist families in paying for their child's tuition. Congresswoman Wilson issued the following statement:

"For many years, the Federal Direct PLUS Loan program provided a vital lifeline to students and their families to achieve their dreams of academic and professional success. The U.S. Department of Education's previous changes to the rule unfairly placed an enormous burden on low-income and first-generation college students, specifically those attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities, by tightening credit checks and expanding the review of credit history. I commend the Department for working with lawmakers and advocates to improve eligibility requirements in the best interest of our students. I believe that today's announcement is a great step towards keeping college within reach for all students."

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Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson is a second-term Congresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school. Congresswoman Wilson also founded the Florida Ports Caucus and serves as co-chair along with Congressman Bill Posey, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart. The Florida Ports Caucus is a bipartisan taskforce that coordinates federal action in support of Florida's harbors and waterways.