Students for Rick Noriega

Rick Noriega believes that every Texan should have the opportunity to attend college. Soaring tuition rates and reduced financial aid means that more and more students find the dream of a college degree out of reach. In the Texas Legislature, Representative Rick Noriega fought to make college more affordable. In 2003, he voted against tuition deregulation. Tuition deregulation resulted in skyrocketing tuition rates that created barriers to attending college. Noriega spoke out against tuition deregulation, calling it "a tax on the aspirations of millions of middle class Texans." As a State Representative, Rick Noriega fought to ensure that Texas lives up to its obligation to our men and women in uniform by funding tuition assistance for students in the military.

As our United States Senator, Noriega will be a voice for Texas students. Noriega fully supports restoring and increasing Pell Grant funding and other forms of federal financial aid for students who work hard and play by the rules. Noriega will work to expand access to subsidized loans, enlarge the Federal Work-Study program, and simplify the application process for tuition assistance. Noriega has dedicated his life to public service, and in that spirit supports the creation of a National Service Program. In exchange for a commitment to some form of public service, military, Peace Corps, public school teaching, or other service, a student could earn forgiveness of all or a portion of their education debt. Rick Noriega understands that today's students are tomorrow leaders. Preparing a future generation of leaders should be our collective national priority and he will work in the U.S. Senate to ensure that all Texans have access to an affordable, world-class public education.