New York Public Interest Research Group, better known as NYPIRG, is one of the largest student-
directed, non-profit organizations uniting students and campuses across the state. By setting goals each
semester, NYPIRG’s campaigns have made many accomplishments for Buffalo State College.
You may have recently seen NYPIRG on our Voter Registration Campaign, which exceeded last year’s
registered voters across campus. Now with voter registration coming to an end, one of NYPIRG’s
concentrations is Higher Education.
Poor and working class New York State families spend 37 percent of their income on their college
education.
High textbook prices, which can total $1,000 annually, create a barrier for prospective students. New
editions of textbooks are released every three to four years regardless of the changes that are made, with
prices that are on average 12 percent higher.
Some say e-books, lose leaf and custom textbooks are less expensive, but they eliminate the possibility to
resell. With these expenses facing college students, it is no surprise that student loan debt is at $1 trillion.
NYPIRG is hosting a student loan workshop to help students prepare for the repayment of student loans
after graduation. The event will be held Dec. 6 during Bengal Pause, in Classroom Building Room B106.
We will be discussing repayment plan options, deferment vs. forbearance, and the National College
Finance Center. A Financial Aid counselor will be available during the workshop to answer questions.
See you there!
Grace Killion
NYPIRG Intern