With students heading back to college campuses and fresh off the President's bus tour through Buffalo on cutting the cost of higher education, parents are hoping for relief in the future. WBFO's Eileen Buckley has more on families trying to pay for college.
"I myself am a single parent and my daughter is in college, so it really hit home with the new education goals and plan. I'm really excited," said Nicole Davis of Rochester.
Davis traveled to Buffalo last Thursday to listen to the President's speech.
Davis said she believes the proposed plan that calls for reducing the cost of college with a rating system that would hold colleges accountable and expect more from students who receive federal aid to pay for tuition is a "good idea".
"It's a good plan. I mean, I think accountability is like he mentioned, it's always on the taxpayers. You know the students have to take accountability as well," said Davis.
Davis's daughter is currently attending a private college in Rochester, so Davis is working three jobs to help pay for tuition.
"I work three jobs, you know, to help her pay for her tuition. She's working full time as well," said Davis.
Ken Preston is also from the Rochester area. He has two children, both of whom attended the University at Buffalo and are now in graduate school. Both have walked away with college debt.
"So ones in third year law and one is in a Ph.D program in the south," said Preston
Preston said they have accumulated debt in the low $30,000 range.
WBFO News asked Preston if that is distributing to him as a parent.
"Yes it is, because you know we supported them when they couldn't support themselves, and now we are doing it all over again," said Preston.
Preston said the President's proposal is 'great' especially when it comes to working with high schools and community college, but Preston notes the hard part of the plan will be betting buy in from four year colleges.
