Thank you for your email. The AOA has actively advanced legislation aimed at improving both the financing of education and the repayment of loans for the past several years. In fact, we were on of the principle architects behind the expansion of the student loan interest deduction provisions included in the 2001 tax bill which was enacted into law. The AOA has been an active supporter of Sen. Dodd's legislation as well as a similar bill in the House introduced by Reps. Price and Boustany. Additionally, we have worked with Rep. Andrews for the past few years to advance a variety of provisions aimed at reforming the loan repayment process for professional students. In general, we support the deferment of interest on student loans through the initial residency period regardless of specialty. We have not taken a position on deferment during fellowship training. Sen. Dodd's legislation was not included in the Senate version of the Higher Education Reauthorization Act. We are hopeful that the House version of the same legislation will include corrective provisions.
Please feel free to contact Cate Blankenburg at
[email protected] for additional information on the AOA's work on student loan and education financing issues.
Shawn
Shawn Martin
Director of Government Relations
American Osteopathic Association