ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MIObama calls for affordable college tuition during trip to U of M

Obama calls for affordable college tuition during trip to U of M

(01/27/12) - President Barack Obama traveled to Ann Arbor Friday, the last stop on a three-day tour of battleground states, following his State of the Union Address on Tuesday.

The theme of his trip was "An America Built To Last."  Friday's stop at the University of Michigan focused on higher education.

The president said it's becoming tougher for Americans to afford to go to college. He said that over the last decade, tuition and fees have more than doubled.

"Student loan debt has surpassed credit card debt for the first time ever," he said.

The president is calling on Congress to stop student loan interest rates from doubling, which he says is scheduled to happen in July.  He also wants them to extend the tuition tax credit, and double the number of work-study jobs over the next five years.
    
U of M students ABC12 spoke to say the president's speech resonated with them.

"I'm an in-state student, but I know a lot of people who are out-of-state, and it's just crazy when they're paying pretty much what Ivy League's are charging and this is a public institution," said freshman Lauren Reeves.

"I think he got to everybody here today. He wasn't just talking to one group of people so I think everyone got his message," said freshman Matt Weiss, who was one of a lucky 3,000 people to hear that message. He camped outside for nine hours to get a ticket. "To see the president speak at my university -- how many times does that happen in your four years as an undergrad?"

The president also called on states to make education a higher priority in its budgets. Gov. Rick Snyder, who did not attend the speech, said while he liked some of the president's ideas, he declined to say whether he'll recommend more state money for universities.