About 40 AU students protested perceived flaws in the education system March 1 at the Department of Education.
A line of cops blocked students from AU and other local colleges from approaching the Department of Education. The students began sharing their personal stories of debt in front of the police as a Department of Education aid listened to their grievances.
School of International Service professor Cathy Schneider said she attended college for $250 during her time.
“I think the main problem is that the government has stopped funding higher education,” she said. “It is good for this country to have educated people, but it is not good for this country to have people graduating so in debt.”
One woman shared her story of moving from Guatemala to America to receive a better education at her parents’ encouragement. Now she is $7,000 in debt after taking out student loans.
College of Arts and Sciences freshman Niusha Nawab said he is already $50,000 in debt after attending AU for a semester.
“As a whole, my parents make enough money that we don’t qualify for any financial aid, but not rich enough to really afford this school,” he said. “I’m paying for college on loans and I’m going to have to spend my summer looking for scholarships.”
Students cheered as the Education Department aid said he identified with the protestors since he went through the public education system. He elicited more cheers when he said he was from Chicago.
Before marching to the Department of Education from Dupont Circle, the protestors stopped at financial loan company Sallie Mae on Pennsylvania Avenue.
They shouted “no funding cuts, no fees, education should be free!” and “Education is a right, we won’t go without a fight!”
Some bystanders shook their heads while others began chanting with students and joined the march.
Several protestors told their personal stories outside Sallie Mae, revealing their struggles with student loans.
One woman shared her personal story of working hard to get into college despite losing her parents, calling Sallie Mae’s practices “predatory.”
Sallie Mae representatives listened to the protestors’ grievances, but removed signs saying “Sallie Mae Go Away” when the protestors taped them to the building. Protestors continued their march to the Department of Education, shouting “We’ll be back!” to Sallie Mae representatives.
After an hour, the protestors debated whether to “occupy” the space in front of the Department of Education, but decided against it.
The protestors claimed education is a fundamental right instead of a privilege, according to a flyer handed out at the event.
