Senator Diane Allen

December 19, 2008   

Contact: Senate Republican Office / (609) 292-5199
Senator Diane Allen

Republican Deputy Senate Leader Diane Allen, District 7, is angry that the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will stop issuing loans this year that allow college students to defer payments until after graduation.

“I’ve asked the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services to provide an opinion on whether the Authority’s rules on these loans violate constitutional prohibitions against unequal treatment in administering state benefits. I also am urging Governor Corzine to explain how his administration will fix a system that allows some applicants to defer interest and principal payments at the same time it requires other, equally deserving college students to make payments that may not be able to afford.

“At a time when Governor Corzine is asking for a $1.3 billion deferral of pension payments, it seems inconsistent that the same administration can’t offer a similar or better opportunity to middle-class college students.

“College enrollments rise during hard times because education is the best way for many people to ride out a downturn and prepare for the better days ahead. It is disturbing that agreements with investors require the state to stop issuing deferred payment loans to some students, just as more of our citizens need the hope of a better future that these loans provide.

“These student loans are the last hope for many of our young people, unemployed workers and low-wage earners. We should do everything we can to make sure this life line isn’t cut.”

Republican Deputy Senate Leader Diane Allen, District 7, is angry that the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will stop issuing loans this year that allow college students to defer payments until after graduation. “I’ve asked the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services to provide [...]