The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) was signed into law on March 30, 2010. Last year SAFRA, the rise in college tuition rates and the rise in student activism in California were discussed by a panel organized by Campus Progress.

The discussion, entitled “Is College only for the Rich?”, addressed efforts to make college accessible on institutional, state, and federal levels. With fees having increased 32% for University of California students, amid protests and sit-ins, college affordability made national headlines during the fall of 2009.

“College costs are rising really rapidly and student aid isn’t keeping up,” said Pedro de la Torre, a policy expert on student financial aid. “This high-cost/high-aid model is not good for the long run. A lot of students are taking on a lot of debt,” said de la Torre.

De la Torre also discussed the SAFRA bill and how it would benefit prospective students. “This bill would cut wasteful subsidies of student loan companies and invest that 87 billion of dollars that would be saved into student aid programs and other education initiatives,” said de la Torre.

“I think public policy makers at all levels have to have as one of their highest priorities seeing to it that people at all income ranges and all age levels have access to their slice of the American dream”, said Congressman Tim Bishop (D-NY).

Victor Sanchez, president of the University of California Student Association, and Bruce Cain, executive director of the University of California Washington Center, discussed what students and the administration can do in order to keep the cost of tuition down.

Cain spoke about the need for students and administrators to be a part of the broader political context, without playing the campaign finance game, by making affordable higher education a priority to legislators.

“We can’t keep pointing fingers because when it comes down to it this is a collective responsibility,” said Sanchez. “Students need to make sure our voices are heard.” While protests bring attention to the issue, Sanchez and other panelists discussed how lobbying for legislation, such as reduced interest rates on students loans and changes to the needs analysis system, will really make the difference.

A Campus Progress intern recruits people to sign a petition in support of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Audience members ask questions about increasing funding for college work study and reducing interest rates on student loans.

“This issue is absolutely crucial to our future,” said Congressman Tim Bishop (D-NY) during his opening remarks.

Victor Sanchez (middle) discusses the privatization of public institutions and calls for more student activism.