Questions: - Find Your United States Senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact - Find Your United States Member of the House of Representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-yourrepresentative - Find Your State's Governor: https://www.usa.gov/state-governor Instructions Write a 300-word email to your representative advocating for an issue. Examples include: student loan reform, reproductive rights, healthcare, environmental policies, education/daycare programs, immigration reform, international issues, gender/racial equality, criminal justice reform, gun reform. - Section 1: Explain the problem. Include at least five pieces of data to support your position - Section 2: Include which interest groups support your position and their efforts in support of your position - Section 3: Ask for specific action9s) to be taken as a solution - Support or opposition of a specific bill - A policy change advocated by interest groups - Your own solution Due - Sunday, by 11:59 p.m. Submission and Assessment Guidelines

Subject: Urgent Need for Comprehensive Student Loan Reform

Dear [Representative's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to you as a concerned constituent to advocate for comprehensive student loan reform. The current student loan system is unsustainable and places an undue burden on millions of Americans. Here are some key data points that highlight the severity of the issue:

1. Total Student Loan Debt: As of 2023, the total student loan debt in the United States has surpassed $1.7 trillion, affecting over 44 million borrowers.
2. Average Debt Per Graduate: The average student loan debt for a 2021 college graduate was approximately $30,000, a figure that has been steadily increasing over the past decade.
3. Default Rates: Nearly 11% of student loan borrowers are in default, which can severely impact their credit scores and financial stability.
4. Economic Impact: High levels of student debt are delaying major life decisions for young adults, such as buying homes, starting families, and saving for retirement.
5. Disproportionate Impact on Minorities: African American and Hispanic borrowers are disproportionately affected, with higher average debt levels and default rates compared to their white counterparts.

Several interest groups, including the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), have been actively advocating for student loan reform. These organizations have conducted extensive research, organized campaigns, and lobbied for policy changes to alleviate the burden of student debt.

I urge you to support the following actions to address this critical issue:

1. Support the Student Loan Forgiveness Act: This bill proposes forgiving up to $50,000 in student loan debt for federal borrowers, which would provide immediate relief to millions.
2. Implement Income-Driven Repayment Plans: Make income-driven repayment plans more accessible and ensure that monthly payments are affordable based on the borrower's income.
3. Increase Funding for Pell Grants: Expand the Pell Grant program to reduce the need for student loans, particularly for low-income students.
4. Regulate Private Lenders: Implement stricter regulations on private student loan lenders to protect borrowers from predatory practices.

By taking these actions, we can create a more equitable and sustainable system for higher education financing. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your support and action on this critical issue.

Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number]