Student-Loan Rates Become Hot Political Topic.

STUDENT loans; FEDERAL aid to higher education; INTEREST rates; DEBT relief; UNITED States. Congress. House; UNITED States. Congress. Senate; OBAMA, Barack, 1961-; ROMNEY, Mitt, 1947-; GOVERNMENT policy

The article discusses the increase in student loan interest rates from 3.4% to 6.8%, effective July 1, 2012 and the efforts by the U.S. federal government to prevent them from doubling. Bills proposed by the Democratic and Republican parties in the House of Representatives and the Senate are discussed, including the Interest Rate Reduction Act. Campaign promises by President Barack Obama and presidential candidate Mitt Romney regarding college costs and student loan debt are also discussed.