Claire's College Affordability Tour

On a statewide tour across Missouri, Claire met with hundreds of students, parents, educators, and other experts to discuss ballooning college costs and student debt. Without fail, each of these conversations came back to the same thing—finding innovative, effective ways to make college more affordable and more accessible, while reducing the mountains of debt students face at graduation that strangle their economic opportunities—and Claire will be using this feedback in the Senate to get Missourians the resources they need.

During her tour, Claire held events in cities and towns across the Show-Me state and documented those stops on Tumblr and Twitter:

http://clairecmc.tumblr.com/post/141433214984/im-kicking-off-my-college-affordability-tour

Her first stop was at Metro Academic and Classical High School in St. Louis, where she heard from regional faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders about obstacles in higher education.

Next was a visit to St. Charles Community College in Cottleville, where students shared insight on hidden costs (such a fees and books) and the importance of programs like Missouri's A+ scholarship.

http://clairecmc.tumblr.com/post/141447737278/at-st-charles-community-college-i-asked-student

Then Claire popped into Washington High School and listened as highschool juniors and seniors and their families shared their experiences trying to understand college costs.

At Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in Kansas City, the roundtable discussed the obstacles that 1st generation college kids and their families face when navigating tuition and student loans.

http://clairecmc.tumblr.com/post/141493076796/kicked-off-day-2-of-our-college-affordability-tour

Participants at Belton High School talked with Claire about FAFSA, financial literacy for students, and parents who are struggling to contribute to tuition costs while still paying off their own student loans from decades before.

Next, Claire stopped by Missouri Western State University where she talked about improving Pell grants and refinancing options for graduates.

At Ozarks Technical Community College, students talked about struggle of getting the college experience they need in order to start their lives while still making smart financial decisions.

Why did you want to be a part of Claire's College Affordabilit...

“Last week, I met with hundreds of Missourians to discuss the crisis of ballooning college costs and student debt in our country. I heard from first-generation college students navigating a complicated system on their own, kids from single-parent households struggling to meet financial reporting requirements, and community college students grateful for the opportunities that Missouri’s A+ program has given them.”—ClaireThroughout the tour, we shared these students’ feedback on Twitter (www.twitter.com/McCaskillOffice) and Tumblr (www.clairecmc.tumblr.com), but a few of them also stepped in front of the camera to share why being a part of this conversation was important to them:

Posted by Senator Claire McCaskill on Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Claire then paid a visit to Southern Boone Elementary, where one student shared that the cost of vet school in the U.S. made her look at schools abroad.

http://clairecmc.tumblr.com/post/141565578837/its-been-a-busy-day-on-my-college-affordability

Finally, Claire wrapped up her tour with a stop in Cape Girardeau.

Learn more about what comes next at medium.com/senator-claire-mccaskill