WASHINGTON, DC In this weeks address, with schools getting ready to open their doors again over the next few weeks, Maribel Duran, the Chief of Staff for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics talked directly to students and parents about the importance of preparing for an education beyond high school. In todays economy, some higher education continues to be the surest ticket to the middle class, but for too many families across the country, paying for higher education is a constant struggle. But the President and First Lady have taken action to reform student loans, expand grants and college tax credits, help make loan payments more manageable, and have proposed plans to make sure colleges also do their part to bring down costs. And just this week, as part of the Presidents Year of Action, the Administration announced a new series of commitments to support students who need a little extra academic help getting through college.

The audio of the address and video of the message will be available online HERE.