Advisory for Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Advisory | BAKERSFIELD, CA — Next Wednesday at 10 AM PST, parents, students, and student loan borrowers from Kern County will gather for a roundtable discussion about how proposed federal budget changes will affect working families. The group will address concerns about Representative David Valadao’s support for policies that may reduce funding for college affordability programs.
If Congress considers legislation to slash Pell Grants and gut affordable student loan repayment programs, Kern County students, borrowers, and families will pay the price as policymakers push college further out of reach and saddle millions with higher monthly student loan bills and deeper financial despair.
The event is hosted by the Parent Institute for Quality Education, Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC), and the UC Student Association.
Speakers [subject to change]:
- Local parent with three children in college relying on Pell Grant assistance
- Student from Bakersfield who now attends UCLA
- Student loan borrowers from Bakersfield
- Sonia Maria de Leon, Executive Director, PIQE regional office in Bakersfield
- Aissa Canchola Bañez, Policy Director, SBPC
- Natalia Abrams, President, Student Debt Crisis Center
- More speakers to be announced
What: Roundtable discussion
When: Wednesday, April 23 from 10 AM-11 AM PST
Where: RSVP to press@protectborrowers.org for exact address
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About Student Borrower Protection Center
Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC) is a nonprofit organization focused on eliminating the burden of student debt for millions of Americans. We engage in advocacy, policymaking, and litigation strategy to rein in industry abuses, protect borrowers’ rights, and advance racial and economic justice.
Learn more at protectborrowers.org or follow SBPC on Twitter @theSBPC.