Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) renewed his call for colleges to be held responsible for students who default on loans taken out to attend school.
The 2024 Republican presidential candidate argued that the idea would be part of his push for "more emphasis on practical education." His comments came while on the campaign trail in South Carolina Thursday.
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Gov. @RonDeSantis: "At the universities, they should be responsible for defaulted student loan debt. If you produce somebody that can't pay it back, that's on you."
— Never Back Down (@NvrBackDown24) June 22, 2023
"I don't want ANYONE to have to be deep in debt just to get a college degree!" pic.twitter.com/4wMhI7xLn7
"One of the things we need to do to make sure that there's more emphasis on practical education, not just support workforce programs, but at the universities, they should be responsible for defaulted student loan debt. If you produce somebody that can't pay it back, that's on you," DeSantis said at an event in North Augusta.
DeSantis previously touted this idea while speaking at a campaign event in Iowa last month, saying that if universities were "on the hook" for students defaulting, then schools would better tailor classes to be "designed to produce people that can be very productive."
The Florida governor also touted low tuition costs from state-run universities in the Sunshine State, saying he does not "want anyone to have to be deep in debt" pursuing a college education.
"Incidentally in Florida, we don't let our universities raise tuition. So it's about $6,400 in-state for tuition at the University of Florida, Florida State, and all those places, and we're holding the line on that. Our view is you guys deliver an education that is affordable, I don't want anyone to have to be deep in debt just to get a college degree," DeSantis said.
DeSantis has made education a policy emphasis during his time as the governor of Florida. He most recently signed a law that prevents state universities from using funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
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The Florida governor is slated to speak at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., on Friday before going to Texas and New Hampshire next week.
DeSantis is currently in second place in the GOP presidential primary, per the RealClearPolitics polling average. Former President Donald Trump is leading the field but appears to be slipping in recent polls.