While the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act awaits action in the Senate, powerful lenders are taking their shot at weakening, and defeating, the bill. Sallie Mae is by far the largest student lender and is leading the charge to defeat the bill. In mid February, Sallie Mae’s supporters in the Senate released a letter to Education chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), that they intend to challenge the bill as it has been proposed. This isn’t the only anti-student stance Sallie Mae has taken through the years. The lender has acted aggressively to promote policy that has resulted in higher priced, riskier private loans for students. To push back against the political power that Sallie Mae is using against the bill, we need to take a swing at Sallie Mae. Our goal is to have “Take A Swing At Sallie Mae” days of action on college campuses across the country during the weeks of March 1 – 14, 2010, to generate media attention around Sallie Mae’s anti-student role, and to highlight our grievances.
This event will be held on library walk at 12pm Wednesday. Come take a swing at a pinata that looks like a pig and is labeled Sallie Mae. Lets show Congress that students should be prioritized, NOT big banks and lenders. We will also being handing out fliers detailing our list of grievances towards Sallie Mae. Don't miss out!
