WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Over 50% of graduate students enrolled in 2014 took out federal unsubsidized student loans. The average cumulative debt for a Masters student is $57,000, and $75,000 for a doctoral student. Students pursuing Professional Degrees amass an average of $146,000 in student loans, more than five times the average undergraduate student (approx. $29,000). The high cost of federal loans deters and prevents our nation's best and brightest from pursuing advanced degrees. Federal graduate student loans are 33% more expensive than undergraduate loans even though graduate student loans are 3 times less likely to default.

Graduate and professional students across the U.S. will call federal lawmakers about their staggering debt burden, interest rate inequality facing postgraduate students, and to urge them to stop profiting off students. National Call-Congress Day on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 is an organized event of the National Association of Graduate Professional Students (NAGPS) GradsHaveDebt2 Campaign.

Jesse Kremenak, NAGPS Director of Legislative Affairs points out that "in the U.S., the demand for employees with advanced degrees continues to grow faster than domestic grad student enrollments. The inequality in the federal loan policy sends the wrong message to students who strive to earn an advanced degree."

The GradsHaveDebt2 National Call-Congress Day will allow graduate and professional students to express concerns, share personal stories, and urge Congressional action on student loan inequality. The campaign urges Members of Congress to:

Reunify the undergraduate and graduate rates to reverse the current inequalities and

Reinstate the in-school interest subsidy for graduate and professional student loans

Student debt has far reaching consequences and inhibits strong economic recovery, as students and young professionals are forced to delay decisions such as purchasing a home, new cars or even saving for retirement in order to meet loan repayment terms. NAGPS is calling for Congress members to work on a bipartisan solution that does not raise the cost of student loans for any student.

Further information is available at Facebook.com/GradsHaveDebt2, including personal accounts from students at various universities across the country.

The National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS) is an entirely volunteer, student-run organization representing graduate and professional students across the United States. NAGPS advocates to give a voice to all graduate and professional students.

Contact:

Jesse W. Kremenak

Director of Legislative Affairs

[email protected]

(240) 620-3131

SOURCE National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS)