It has been a hectic but enjoyable summer with all of the fairs, festivals, meetings and family gatherings. The end of August is in sight, school has started and the activities just keep coming. With Labor Day approaching quickly, I’m sure many people will be looking to take a mini vacation and enjoy some quality rest and relaxation. If you haven’t made arrangements for the holiday yet, I encourage you to visit www.in.gov/visitindiana. It is a great resource, highlighting variety of options right here in Indiana and is the perfect place to start your planning. For all of our students who just started school, I encourage you to start the year off with determination and a receptive attitude. College might seem far off for pupils just entering high school, but it is never too early to start planning. It is an exciting time of the year, full of new beginnings and opportunities for our community’s youngest and brightest minds. Before we all know it, this year’s freshman will be graduating and entering the next chapter in their lives. The process of looking toward what options are available after high school can be intimidating and a little overwhelming. The Legislature is working to make higher education a more easily attainable option for young Hoosiers by making each step – applying to different schools, securing financial aid, preparing to attend a new institution, etc. – easier to understand and navigate. The big concern for both parents and students is usually college affordability. Some major private lenders have recently withdrawn from the student loan market, limiting funding options. To address this issue, the Indiana Secondary Market for Education Loans Corporation was created and is now permitted to become a direct lender of postsecondary education loans for the purpose of attending both Indiana and non-Indiana institutions. This Indiana-based student loan program will help improve financial literacy amongst college students and at the same time provide fixed rate loans to Indiana students who may not be able to otherwise fund their education. Unfortunately, we have more college students graduating with debt than jobs. While higher education is definitely an important aspect to making yourself more marketable to employers, we must not forget the crucial role primary schools make in the development of our children. I encourage parents to take a moment to speak with your child’s new teachers to find out their goals for the year. Think of creative ways to help carry lessons from the classroom to the living room, and dedicate a portion of each evening to ask your child what they learned at school that day. Spend as much time with them as you can – they grow up way too fast. -30-
Rep. Crouch (R-Evansville) represents portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.
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