Constituent Services Stories: Student Loans

Many people may not know that their member of Congress can help them resolve challenges involving federal agencies. Our office works regularly with constituents on many issues, particularly navigating bureaucracies involving federal student loans.

I want to share Michelle’s* story as an example of how we can help.

A few years ago, Michelle began her college studies and did what most students do to afford the rising costs of a college degree — she took out a Parent Plus Loan. But, due to unexpected personal health issues, Michelle was forced to discontinue her college studies before completing her degree and was still responsible for repaying these student loans. I am proud to represent our district in Congress and to help constituents address various challenges with federal agencies.

With mounting medical bills, Michelle was unable to afford the monthly payment and the federal government began deducting $300 from her mother’s Social Security Disability Income to cover the costs, leaving her mother with $900 a month.

Michelle’s story is all too common. With the student debt crisis reaching $1.6 trillion and only increasing from that figure, students are left helpless, struggling to pay off their loans and make ends meet. Pennsylvania holds the second-highest average student debt in the country, estimated at $36,854.

[Learn more about my efforts to protect student loan borrowers here].

When Michelle reached out to our office, we were able to work with the Department of Education to reduce her payment from $300 to $5 a month.

Our office is a liaison between you and the federal government. While we cannot resolve every issue, we can advocate on your behalf with various federal agencies and will work diligently to ensure that you are well represented.

Below are some agencies that we commonly help constituents with:

Social Security Administration

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Department of Veterans Affairs

Department of Education

Internal Revenue Service

U.S. Postal Service

To learn more about our office, and for news on current legislative issues, please visit our website, sign up for our newsletter, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

**Michelle’s name has been changed for confidentiality purposes.