SOUTHFIELD — On Monday, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow joined Michigan students from colleges and universities across Michigan at Oakland Community College in Southfield to urge Congress to pass legislation that she is sponsoring to reverse the rate hike on student loans.

Stabenow talks with students

On July 1, student loan interest rates on subsidized federal Stafford loans doubled, rising from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, despite attempts to forge a bipartisan agreement on student loan legislation before the deadline.

Senator Stabenow’s Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013, was rejected by the U.S. Senate July 10 when it was voted on. It didn’t receive enough votes to go through. The legislation would have reversed the rate hike and ensure that student loans remain at 3.4 percent, while Congress works on a comprehensive plan to reduce student loan debt for every student.

“Too many Michigan students and families are strapped with tens of thousands in student loan debt when they graduate. We need to be making college more affordable, not raising rates so the government makes a profit off of students. It is absolutely critical that Congress come together and pass my legislation to reverse this rate hike and begin work on a long-term plan to make college more affordable for every student,” Stabenow said.