Sen. Franken is working to make college more affordable and easier to understand for prospective students. College affordability is a growing problem for working families and students in Minnesota, with the average college student graduating with nearly $30,000 in debt—the fourth highest debt level of any state in the nation. Sen. Franken held a college affordability roundtable in Minneapolis to discuss this problem.

In a recent Education Committee hearing, Sen. Franken committed to getting more accelerated learning programs in high schools and to getting more colleges to accept the credits students earn in these programs. This can help cut the costs of college for students and their families by helping students earn college degrees in less time.
 
Sen. Franken has also been advocating for a universal financial aid letter when students are accepted by a postsecondary institution. A universal letter would make it easier for students and their families to understand exactly how much college is going to cost.