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"The chance to go to college meant everything in my life, and I want every young person to have the same chance." – John Edwards

Let's face it—college is an expensive necessity.

Getting a good job without a college education is almost impossible for our generation. For most careers, especially the higher-paying ones, a college degree is essential. People with a bachelors' degree will make $1 million more in their lifetimes then those with just a high school diploma. [U.S Census Bureau]

But college isn't cheap—and it keeps getting more expensive. Today, many students are taking out multiple loans to pay for their education. By the time they reach the real world, they're already in serious debt or have the burden of substantial debt to pay off. Many put off major life decisions because of their student debt.

Check out these stats:

• Between 2001- 2010, two million academically qualified students will not go to college because they can't afford it!
• 24 percent of college seniors graduate with unmanageable levels of educational debt.
• The average college senior graduates with $3200 in credit card debt and $18,900 in student loans [Campus Progress]
• In 2001, 24-35 year olds spent on average nearly 25 cents out of every dollar of income on debt payments. [Federal Reserve Data, cited by Draut]

College is a crucial tool. We need to make it more affordable for more people.

John Edwards is committed to big, bold change to expand college opportunity. His College Opportunity Agenda addresses issues our generation is being forced to grapple with. It includes a national "College for Everyone" initiative, which would pay for one year of public-college tuition, fees, and books for any student who is willing to work hard and stay out of trouble.

Edwards' College for Everyone initiative is based on a program he helped start at a high school in Greene County, North Carolina, where it has proven to be successful in raising college attendance rates.

John Edwards' College Opportunity agenda also includes:

• Lower costs
• Strong Preparation
• Overhauling the Student Loan Program
• Simplifying Financial Aid
• Giving Students the Tools They Need to Apply for College and Aid

To read more, click here.

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Opportunity for Everybody
Altoona, Iowa
September 21, 2007

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