AVMA: Eliminating In-School Subsidy Will Impact Professional and Graduate Students

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following today's final vote by the U.S. Senate on the debt reduction bill, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) issued the following statement expressing concern about the consequences of the bill on students' access to higher education:

"The AVMA is disappointed in the decision by Congress to eliminate the in-school interest subsidy on graduate and professional student loans as part of its action to reduce federal spending," said Dr. Mark Lutschaunig, AVMA director of Governmental Relations. "The AVMA certainly understands the need to limit federal spending and address the nation's growing debt. However, eliminating educational financing for graduate and professional students who rely on student loans to fund their education, such as veterinary school, will ensure higher education is out of reach for many."

For more information, visit www.avma.org.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 81,500 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association