<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>

      <rss version="2.0">		
        <channel>
          <title>WashingtonWatch.com - Comments for H.R. 1779, The Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2007</title>
          <link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills</link>
          <description></description>
          <managingEditor>info@washingtonwatch.com</managingEditor>
          <generator>http://www.pjdoland.com/chai/?v=0.1</generator>
          
<item>
<title>Comment by Brandi Dreher (November 22, 2008, 18:25:57)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_1779.html#46825</link>
<description>I'm am not happy to see that there I am not floating along alone.  I have been working for head start for only 4 years, but I too am already paying 25,000 dollars worth of college loans that will not qualify for cancellation.  My children will be out of college before my loans get paid off, and now I am under the gun to take another class to renew my license so I can keep my position.  Yet, no one is helping me pay for the class!  I can't afford to add onto my loans, and am running out of options.  Someone needs to help those of us that don't qualify for loan forgiveness!!...</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">46825@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:25:57 EST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Comment by Angela Carr (November 8, 2008, 18:33:10)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_1779.html#45945</link>
<description>I have been teaching for 12 years. I do not qualify for any loan cancellations or forvieness because my loans were taken out in 1992. Legislation passed a bill for cancellation, but the government never funded the program. I have taught special education students, and i currently teach in a designated low income Title 1 school. I have called the Direct Loan Center and I am hitting a wall and being told &quot;sorry&quot;. Teacher before me and teachers after me are forgiven.This is very frustrating because I am a hard working teacher
with no help from the government. I put myself through undergrad and graduate school. I hope and pray as well that the teachers of 1992 loans will somehow become a part of the forgiveness because we have no assistance. I was even told by a Direct Loan staff to &quot;just keep chipping away at it.&quot; Easier said than done. I hope that someone will
look into the 1992 student loans for teachers. I would like to have cancellation too....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">45945@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:33:10 EST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Comment by Tonya Purkey (October 10, 2008, 21:34:25)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_1779.html#44912</link>
<description>I have been a Headstart teacher  for 4 yrs.I currently have my associate's degree in Early Childhood and will be graduating with my bachlors in May of '09.I have successfully put myself through school but now face over 25,000 dolaars owrth of student loans.This far exceeds my yearly salary.Headstart is known for raising the bar for the standard of high quality childcare.As a teacher I have dedicated myself to obtaining a higher level of education so that I can make a positive impact in reaching the hightest standard of care possible.The cost of obtaining a higher education is haunting to someone who struggles to support a family.  Legislation is pushing for teachers to have a higher degree yet the teachers see no benefit.I knew entering this profession that I wouldn't be makeing 'the big bucks' but I can't afford to have 15 yrs. of debt.I can only pray that Headstart will be added to this bill so more qualified professionals will be able to commit to a profession we all love....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">44912@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:34:25 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Comment by Gardenia Gresham (August 31, 2008, 16:59:10)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_1779.html#41507</link>
<description>I have worked for head start for the past 29 years and have accumulated a student loan of 60,000.00 and cannot afford to repay. I love working with preschool aged children in our head start program. I have dedicated my life to these children and will continue to do so. I pray that they bill will pass so that the head start teachers can be included in the low -income areas for loan forgiveness.cancellation....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">41507@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:59:10 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Comment by Sherry Wampler (August 27, 2008, 22:22:44)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_1779.html#41336</link>
<description>I too have worked in Headstart for 15 years and struggled to pay students loans of more than 25,000. I came from a Head Start family and worked my way through school with no help expect loans and grants. I feel it is unfair the exclude us because we finished before the act was enacted...</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">41336@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:22:44 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Comment by Susan Biddle (March 31, 2008, 21:08:10)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_1779.html#31825</link>
<description>In attempting to raise the education level for Head Start employees who generally receive lower incomes, it would be absolutely correct to pass this bill.  I have taught 14 years in a Head Start program and have accumulated over $15,000 in education loans. I will not qualify for this assistance, if passed, because I received my degree just prior to its enactment.  Head Start teachers in my community make a considerably lower salary -yet are expected to pay the same education fees as those who already qualify for loan forgiveness.  Other than a sincere commitment to the cause of our program - what keeps us here?  I love the work I do, but I love my family who depends on my income. Is this not nearly an oxymoron?  I expect my family to sacrifice in order to teach others how they rise above. Hmmmm...</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">31825@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:08:10 EDT</pubDate>
</item>
        </channel>
      </rss>
  		