Miguel Cardona, US Education Secretary, makes a visit to Little Rock

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona is on a mission to fix the nation’s “broken education system,” and he made a stop in Little Rock, Arkansas to discuss the Biden administration’s plans for debt forgiveness and financial aid. In a roundtable discussion with educators, Cardona emphasized the need for improvements in higher education accessibility and affordability.

During the discussion, educators from the Pine Bluff and Little Rock school districts shared their stories of student loan forgiveness, highlighting the positive impact it had on their financial well-being. LRSD teacher Lakeitha Austin expressed her relief at no longer being burdened by student loan debt, thanks to the forgiveness program.

Cardona acknowledged the challenges faced by the Department of Education in revamping the FAFSA application process, but emphasized the importance of making higher education more affordable and accessible. Despite initial delays, Cardona assured applicants that the updated FAFSA system is now working efficiently, with the potential to help 600,000 more students access federal aid.

The Education Secretary encouraged students and families to apply for financial aid, noting that the application process now takes only 20 minutes compared to an hour previously. He stressed the significance of fixing the broken education system for the country’s growth and urged more students to take advantage of the available resources.

As the number of applications in Arkansas has decreased this year, Cardona urged prospective students to apply promptly to ensure schools receive their information in a timely manner. With the Biden administration’s commitment to improving higher education, Cardona remains dedicated to addressing the challenges and making education more accessible for all.