Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is proposing a new program to help American students attend public colleges without needing to take on large amounts of debt, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Clinton’s team is still working out the specifics of the plan, though the Associated Press says Clinton wants to cut the cost to attend four-year public schools, cut student loan interest rates and make two-year community college programs tuition-free. Various media outlets reported the plan will cost the federal government $350 billion over a decade.
Clinton is planning to discuss the proposal at campaign stops on Monday and Tuesday in New Hampshire, Politico reports.
As CNN points out, making college more affordable for students has been a top priority among this election cycle’s Democratic candidates. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley unveiled his own debt-free college plan in July, while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has touted his intention to make all four-year public college and universities tuition free.
All of these plans come as students are more indebted than ever before. The average class of 2015 graduate with student-loan debt will have to pay back a little more than $35,000, according to an analysis of government data.
