In today’s Washington Post, US Student Association President, Carmen Berkeley, clarifies the choice that is now before Congress when it comes to college affordability in a letter to the editor. Members of Congress can either vote to maintain corporate welfare for banks, or they can vote for more (and more reliable) student aid for low and middle income students.

The choice really is that simple. Here is the best part:

In the past year, while students have been drowning in debt, Sallie Mae awarded its chief executive $4.6 million in cash and stock and its vice chairman more than $13.2 million in cash and stock, including the use of a company plane.

We cannot continue to allow students and their families to take out loans from private companies that push students further into debt with few options for making affordable payments. We support the president in making a commitment to passing a federal budget that bolsters Pell grants, not private loan companies.