Campus Progress Launches $150K Multimedia Ad Buy in Support of Student Aid Reform
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 23, 2009
Contact:
Katie Andriulli, Campus Progress
202-481-8238 / kandriulli@americanprogress.org
Campus Progress Launches $150K Multimedia Ad Buy in Support of Student Aid Reform
WASHINGTON, DC – Campus Progress, the youth outreach arm of the Center for American Progress, today announced a $150,000 ad buy to educate the public about policies to reform the student financial aid system.
In September, the House of Representatives passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), legislation that represents the largest ever federal investment in higher education. It is expected that comparable legislation will be introduced in the Senate in the coming weeks.
The ad buy consists of print and online ads in Capitol Hill-serving publications like Politico and Roll Call, Google In-Stream Video ads, and a 30-second video ad that will shown on Hulu.com and on cable programming including CNN, MSNBC, and Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” The ad buy is part of Campus Progress’ Students Over Banks campaign (studentsoverbanks.com), launched this summer to educate people about proposed reforms of the student aid system and to provide them with resources to take action.
To watch the video ad, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoDG2URl8aQ
“By cutting wasteful handouts to student loan companies and reinvesting the $87 billion saved in programs to strengthen college affordability and access, the bill would make the financial aid system more efficient, and expand access to education without contributing to the federal deficit,” said Campus Progress Senior Advocacy Associate Pedro de la Torre III.
“Unfortunately, student loan companies are spending millions on a lobbying and public relations campaign, seeking to hang on to their enormous government subsidies. With this ad campaign, we are engaging students, parents, and grandparents on this issue, along with everyone who cares about enhancing educational opportunity, creating jobs, and strengthening our economy. Our campaign sends a message that it’s long past time to choose students over banks.”
President Obama proposed these reforms to the education system earlier this year and, in remarks last April, vowed to fight for them, saying, “This is a battle we can’t afford to lose.”
Earlier this month, Campus Progress, the United States Public Interest Research Group, the United States Student Association, and the Campaign for College Affordability sent a letter to the Senate HELP committee in support of SAFRA. The letter was signed by a diverse coalition of 50 groups representing constituencies of millions of Americans, including students, women, parents, African Americans, Latinos, college admissions officers and registrars, social workers, and others. The letter can be viewed here.
For more information, or to speak to a Campus Progress higher education spokesperson, please contact Katie Andriulli at 202-481-8238, or kandriulli@americanprogress.org.
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Campus Progress is the youth division of the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan, nonprofit progressive organization. Through programs in activism, journalism, and events, Campus Progress helps young people make their voices heard now on issues that matter, and works with young leaders and organizations nationwide to build a strong, united progressive movement that can bring long-term positive change. Campus Progress runs a daily web magazine, CampusProgress.org; supports student publications on 50 campuses; supports local and national youth issue campaigns; and has held over 700 events and film screenings. For more information, please visit Campusprogress.org.
