For the past 16 years, I've worked as a college planner, guiding countless students and families through the daunting process of financing higher education. Year after year, I witness the spiraling costs of college tuition and the heavy debt burdens that families bear to make a college education possible. It is deeply concerning that, in many cases, families shoulder the majority of the financial risk, while institutions continue to receive tuition revenue regardless of students' long-term ability to repay loans. This inequality highlights a pressing need for reform.

Colleges and universities must be held more accountable for the affordability of their programs and the financial outcomes of their students. As the price of higher education continues to soar, it's crucial that institutions not only provide quality education but also contribute to manageable borrowing levels and positive post-graduation results. The current system lacks sufficient mechanisms to ensure that schools are directly accountable for these critical factors.

We call for a stronger review of policies that govern college funding and accountability. Educational institutions should be required to actively participate in making higher education more affordable and should be responsible for a large portion of loan repayment when students face financial hardships post-graduation. This can include investing in programs that reduce costs, offering more substantial scholarships, and improving graduate career services to enhance employment outcomes.

Further, policymakers should establish transparent metrics to evaluate schools based on affordability, average student debt, and graduate success rates. These metrics will provide students and families with clearer insights into the potential returns on their educational investments and help drive schools toward more responsible financial practices.

By demanding these changes, we can initiate a shift toward a more equitable educational system where all stakeholders assume fair responsibility for the financial aspects of higher education. This petition seeks to initiate dialogue and drive action to ensure colleges are accountable stewards of the financial wellbeing of their students and families.

Sign this petition to call for necessary changes that will hold colleges accountable and secure more affordable education for future generations. Together, we can advocate for a fairer system that relieves families of unnecessary financial burdens and promotes positive educational outcomes.