Total outstanding student loan debt in America is expected to exceed $1.4 TRILLION this year. Millions of hardworking, taxpaying, educated Americans are being crushed under the weight of their educational debts, while the economy continues to sputter. Support a REAL economic stimulus and jobs plan. Support Student Loan Forgiveness.

Since 1980, average tuition for a 4-year college education has increased an astounding 800%. Since 1999, average student loan debt has shamefully increased by over 500%!

In 2010, total outstanding student loan debt exceeded total outstanding credit card debt in America for the first time ever. In 2012, total outstanding student loan debt exceeded $1 Trillion. Today, we have over 1.3 TRILLION dollars in overall student loan debt and the number is climbing out-of-control.

In short, student loan debt has become the fastest growing financial crisis in America. If we do absolutely nothing, the entire economy will eventually come crashing down again- just as it did when the housing bubble popped. This ever-growing crisis has put our country on an unsustainable course towards financial oblivion.

As a result of more than 30 years of treating higher education as an individual commodity, rather than a public good and an investment in our collective future, those buried under the weight of their student loan debt are not buying homes or cars, not starting businesses or families, and they're not investing, inventing, innovating or otherwise engaged in any of the economically stimulative activities that we need all Americans to be engaged in.

Student loan debt has an undeniable and significant effect on economic growth. Forgiving student loan debt directly addresses this enormous boot on the neck of the middle class. represents a glimmer of hope for millions of Americans who, with each passing day, find that the American Dream is more and more out of reach.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that Congress bring forward serious legislation to forgive student loan debt and commit to solving the student debt crisis this year.