College debt is crushing opportunity

The wall of student debt is an obstacle to opportunity for thousands of Pennsylvania’s young citizens.

In fact, the commonwealth has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest average debt among the 50 states and Washington, DC., according to a Peterson’s Data survey. As of 2017, that average was $36,193 — and climbing.

The result is that college graduates find themselves held back from buying homes, getting married, starting families and taking jobs that create future opportunities but don’t pay enough now to cover loan payments.

The stereotyped “living in their parents’ basement” is a direct result of student debt.

Why are Pennsylvania college students graduating with more debt than in other states? One major factor is college costs. The average annual instate college tuition in Pennsylvania was $22,794 for the 20182019 academic year, $8,387 higher than the U.S. average, reports CollegeCalc.org.

Pennsylvania is the 5th most expensive and one of the least affordable states (48th of 50) to attend college.

Those dire numbers — and the effect on the future of Pennsylvania’s workforce — are getting some attention in Harrisburg.

Two lawmakers new to the Legislature this year, from Bucks and Delaware counties, have formed a “Student Debt Caucus” to examine the problem, according to a recent report in The Morning Call.

Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, DDelaware County, and Rep. Meghan Schroeder, D-Bucks, both of whom are in their 30s, understand the problem firsthand. They told the Call that their approach is a “deep dive that will result in a package of legislation.” Thirty-two other lawmakers have joined them in the effort.

Alongside that effort is a task force examining state funding of higher education. A Higher Education Funding Commission formed last August held a session last week at West Chester University coordinated by state Sen. Andy Dinniman, DChester County.

The commission is tasked with developing a higher education funding formula and identifying factors that may be used to determine the distribution of funding, according to a release from Dinniman’s office.

The hearing examined the cost-effectiveness of what colleges are providing in Pennsylvania, noting that oftentimes graduates have the degree and the debt to go with it but lack the workforce skills to meet employers’ needs.

“We have to be a lot more data-driven in looking at how we deliver higher education and how it fits into job creation,” Dinniman said. “We are living in the greatest era of change in human history — that means what we prepare for today could change tomorrow. At the same time, our systems of education and higher education must adapt to meet the needs and develops the skills of a growing variety of individuals.”

The hearing included speakers who stressed the need for “middle skills” that require some college training but also rely on technical or community college specialty training, particularly in the health care field. Much of the discussion focused on whether colleges are preparing young people for the needs of the workforce.

Whether or not they can pay for that training is the focus of several other legislative efforts, as well as legal actions to ferret out unfair loan practices. Some of the ideas are increased loan forgiveness incentive programs for firefighters and others who give back to their communities.

But there is widespread belief that the state’s underfunding of higher education and the resulting tuition increases among state schools is at the root of the problem.

We urge the Higher Education Funding Commission to examine the costs side of the coin as well as the workforce side. The next generation of Pennsylvania citizens need to be prepared not only with necessary skills but also financially solvent to be consumers, home buyers and contributing citizens.

College in Pennsylvania has become out of reach for the middle class without taking on debt. Failure to address this problem not only crushes the opportunity for young people but also tramples economic growth.

We urge the legislature to make it a priority in 2020 to bring down college costs and give the next generation the opportunities they deserve and that our commonwealth needs.