“Coming from a middle-class family with an older sibling already in college, I have to pay for most of my own education through scholarships, grants and loans.

“I took out Stafford Loans for one simple reason: They are the most affordable! They filled the gap after my scholarships and grants, and I’m happy to say that I was able to avoid high-interest private loans. Lower interest rates, combined with the President’s plan for student loan reform, mean I can pay them off in a reasonable amount of time.

“It’s clear that President Obama has the concerns of real students in mind. Education should always be an affordable right, not an expensive privilege.”

—Alex, Michigan