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University of Connecticut students working with the Connecticut Public Interest Research Group (ConnPIRG) are raising awareness about high college debt levels through a student debt yearbook. The yearbook recorded students’ names and their anticipated college loan debt they would have at graduation, and will be sent to local Congressman Joe Courtney.  The students also used the event to build momentum for the Raising Pell Week of Action, a national call-in day to Congress urging increases in the Pell Grant program. 

Students who participated were enthusiastic about the attention that it would bring to the issue of debt.

"We are letting people know we are not going to sit in the dark on these issues," said Kyle Buonocore, a 5th-semester political science major.

“I think that it is important that we let people know that this is an issue,” said Sophomore Steven Fereno.

ConnPIRG students cited a report that explained that a lot of students have to work as many as 35 hours a week to afford college costs. The study demonstrated that working 15 hours a week helps increase students’ focus on school, but more than that can lower grades.

More from The Daily Campus at the University of Connecticut
More from the Student PIRGs on Raising Pell Week