WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 1779, The Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2007

Comment by Brandi Dreher (November 22, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

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!!...

Comment by Angela Carr (November 8, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

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 "sorry". 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 "just keep chipping away at it." Easier said than done. I hope that someone will look into the 1992 student loans for teachers. I would like to have cancellation too....

Comment by Tonya Purkey (October 10, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

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....

Comment by Gardenia Gresham (August 31, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

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....

Comment by Sherry Wampler (August 27, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

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...

Comment by Susan Biddle (March 31, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

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...

Revision by webmaster (August 2, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 1779 would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend loan forgiveness for certain loans to Head Start teachers.

Detailed Summary

Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to assume or cancel loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan or the Direct Loan programs to individuals who have been employed as Head Start teachers for five consecutive complete program years, if they have demonstrated knowledge and teaching skills in reading, writing, early childhood development, and other areas of a preschool curriculum, with a focus on cognitive learning.

Limits the benefits of this Act to individuals who earn a baccalaureate or graduate degree on or after the date of this Act's enactment.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/9/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of July 12, 2007

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

7/12/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Revision by webmaster (July 11, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 1779 would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend loan forgiveness for certain loans to Head Start teachers.

Detailed Summary

Limits the benefits of this Act to individuals who earn a baccalaureate or graduate degree on or after the date of this Act's enactment.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 3/29/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Revision by webmaster (July 11, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 1779 would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend loan forgiveness for certain loans to Head Start teachers.

Detailed Summary

Limits the benefits of this Act to individuals who earn a baccalaureate or graduate degree on or after the date of this Act's enactment.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/9/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Status as of July 9, 2007

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

7/9/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Status as of March 29, 2007

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

3/29/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.