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Organizing Tools - Student Debt

Let's Talk About Student Debt
Looking for a way to start the conversation around membership? We’ve created tools and explainers about student debt benefits that you can send to potential members.
Published: July 18, 2023
This toolkit originally appeared on NEA.org

How to use this toolkit

  • Learn about student debt and options for cancellation and relief.
  • Share our conversation starters to help potential and existing members understand NEA's student debt supports.
  • Use prompts to schedule follow up conversations that deepen relationships and connections.

Understanding Student Debt

Fixing the student debt crisis makes our public schools stronger.

The victories around Public Service Loan Forgiveness and student debt cancellation is an excellent example of the power of our union and how educators uniting together can benefit the lives of many.

NEA has developed tools for educators to make the most of Public Service Loan Forgiveness and advocate for further student debt cancellation. 

Spread the Word

Use these prompts to start a conversation with someone following an initial contact. You can also change them a bit and use them to reach out to someone you haven't heard from in a while!

Share These Messages

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On Text Message

Hi <FIRSTNAME>! Want to tackle student debt but aren’t sure where to start? Text STUDENTDEBT to 48744 to get connected with the resources that are right for you. 

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On Email

Hi <FIRSTNAME>

It’s <YOURNAME> from <AFFILIATENAME>! It was great meeting you at <EVENTNAME>

Everyone—no matter where they are from or how much is in their bank account—deserves to learn and grow without limits. That’s why tens of thousands of educators took action over the past few months to make sure our higher education system works for students, not for bankers and their profits.   

10 years of public service equals no student debt. That is the promise. And we will not stop until that promise is kept to everyone. Take these three steps to ensure you get the support you deserve:  

Our victories around student debt show the power educators can have when we come together. But we still have more to accomplish. I’d love to chat with you about our union’s work. Do you have time in the next few weeks? 

In solidarity, 

<YOUR NAME>

P.S. Pass it on! Share these resources with a friend or colleague. 

Share Online

Share these tools on your social media platforms! You can follow up with potential members that like or comment on your posts.

Social Media Messages

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Facebook

In the last year, educators have gotten over $1 million dollars in student debt cancellation. Learn how: <LINK> 

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Instagram

10 years of public service equals no student debt. Congress made that promise to educators in 2007. And we will not stop until that promise is kept to everyone. Check out the link in bio to find the tools you need to #CancelStudentDebt.

Link for Instagram bio: <LINK>

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Twitter

550,000 public service workers are now closer to the cancellation they were promised. What this means for you: <LINK> #CancelStudentDebt 

Expert Webinars

Almost half of all current educators have had to take on student debt to enter the profession. This reality keeps too many talented young people out of the profession and pushes out those who do enter it. 

We believe that every educator should be able to afford to learn without limits, and without a lifelong burden of student debt. That's why NEA’s student debt experts have created tools designed to help educators through the complicated student debt system, including webinars explaining opportunities for relief. 

Find past webinar recordings here:

Ready, Set, Grow!

OEA provides high-quality, member-led professional learning to help educators improve their professional practice, support student success and excellence, and build community with other educators across Oregon.
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Our Voice Is Our Power.

We’ll advocate for fully-funded public schools. We’ll dismantle unjust systems. We’ll give our students the opportunities they need to succeed. Help us make it happen.
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Keeping the Promise of Quality Public Education

The Oregon Education Association (OEA) is a union committed to the cause of providing the basic right of great public education to every student. OEA represents about 41,000 educators working in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public schools and community colleges. OEA’s membership includes licensed teachers and specialists, classified/education support professionals (ESPs), community college faculty, retired educators, and student members. OEA members also belong to the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA).