Message from Congresswoman Chellie Pingree on Predatorial Banking and Student Loans

Here's another phone call with Sallie Mae Financial (yet another lie caught on the phone!!! with their computer right in front of them, the rep knew absolutely nothing about the recent heavy involvement of the Department of Education's Ombudsman' office which was dragged in after their predators refused to send federal forbearance forms (which needless to say is a FEDERAL CRIME), and claims to know nothing about the intermediator between Sallie Mae and Department... Rosa Van Dyke???) The guy is lying, which is typical for criminals at Sallie Mae. They would rather lie about everything, even when the truth is more conducive, but they've got to beat people out of millions, so lying is second nature to the crooks.

And due to the corrupt predatorial banking fraud that is ongoing, here's a recent email from Congresswoman Chellie Pingree who addresses these issues, head-on without mincing words. I wish that there were more in Congress, concerned about these issues which are now affecting all Americans who are students of Higher Education, across the nation. Does your Congressman give a *d* or have dirty banking corporations bought your representatives, and have them in their pocket to represent the interests of predatorial bankers like Sallie Mae Financial?



From: Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 4:46 PM
Subject: Message from Congresswoman Chellie Pingree

Dear Sharon,

Thank you for contacting me about the importance of making higher education more accessible and affordable. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue, and I sincerely apologize for the delay in my response.

As the former chair of my school board, I care deeply about the issues surrounding education in this country - and I am well aware of the many challenges that our education system faces. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the 111th Congress to ensure that we provide a quality education to every American. This includes expanding access to higher education and ensuring that those who want to pursue a college education can do so without entering into impossible debt.

I was proud to support H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which included several provisions to make college more affordable. This recovery package provided much-needed funds for work study programs, and provided money to states to help alleviate budget cuts to public universities.

The Fiscal Year 2010 Budget, passed earlier this year, also makes significant investments in higher education access, raising the maximum Pell Grant award to $5,550 for the 2010-11 school year, and making permanent the $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit, which will make college more affordable for millions of middle-class families and for the first time make college tax incentives partially refundable.

Earlier this year, I joined several of my colleagues in sending two letters to Chairman David Obey and Ranking Member Todd Tiahrt of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, requesting $400 million in funding for the Gaining Early Awareness Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), and an increase of $120 million in funding for TRIO Programs for Fiscal Year 2010. Both of these programs provide invaluable services to low income students, helping them prepare for the rigorous demands of higher education while in high school, and providing college students with the support services they need in order to successfully complete their degrees.

I also believe we must address the issue of student loan fairness and consumer protection when it comes to student loans. Too many students remain saddled with debt long after graduation, and lack the help and support to pay off their debt within a reasonable timeframe. We should ensure that lenders are operating in a fair and transparent manner, and that borrowers are provided with all the information they need to make informed decisions and pay off their loans.

As a mother of three, I am a firm believer that we must work to fix our education system to ensure that every student in Maine and across the country can have affordable access to a higher education.

Thank you again for being in touch about these important issues. I hope to see you in Maine soon.

Sincerely,
Chellie Pingree
Member of Congress

To contact me please visit me at http://pingree.house.gov/
If you need immediate help with a Federal Agency please call my Portland Office at 207-774-5019 or toll free at 888-862-6500.