DeSantis promises his administration will hold colleges accountable for student loan defaults

Gov. Ron DeSantis Calls for Accountability in Higher Education

During his campaign trail in South Carolina, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) reiterated his stance on holding colleges responsible for students who default on their loans. This proposal is part of his larger vision for a more practical approach to education.

“One of the things we need to do to make sure that there’s more emphasis on practical education, not just support workforce programs, but at the universities, they should be responsible for defaulted student loan debt. If you produce somebody that can’t pay it back, that’s on you,”

This is not the first time DeSantis has voiced this idea. He previously discussed it at a campaign event in Iowa, emphasizing that universities should be “on the hook” for students who default. According to DeSantis, this accountability would encourage schools to tailor their classes to produce highly productive individuals.

DeSantis also highlighted the low tuition costs in Florida’s state-run universities, expressing his commitment to making education affordable and accessible.

“Incidentally in Florida, we don’t let our universities raise tuition. So it’s about $6,400 in-state for tuition at the University of Florida, Florida State, and all those places, and we’re holding the line on that. Our view is you guys deliver an education that is affordable, I don’t want anyone to have to be deep in debt just to get a college degree,”

Education has been a key focus for DeSantis throughout his tenure as governor. Recently, he signed a law that restricts state universities from using funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Gov. DeSantis is scheduled to speak at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., before continuing his campaign in Texas and New Hampshire. While he currently ranks second in the GOP presidential primary, he is gaining momentum as former President Donald Trump’s lead begins to wane.

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