Mobilize.org Continues “Guess the Debt” Campaign

On July 1st, 2006, interest rates on federal student loans increased dramatically causing the average loan-burdened student to have over $5,000 more debt. Mobilize.org took action to educate students about this policy change. The “Guess the Debt” campaign helped students from across the country understand Congress’ consistently anti-youth policy by asking them just how much they thought the staggering national student debt would increase before congress took action. One lucky winner will receive his or her debt paid by Mobilize.org.

Mobilize.org has multiple components of this campaign including an informative website, a happy hour event, an advertising campaign, and a Capwiz-powered web feature that generates press release emails for interested students’ local media outlets. The initial campaign has faced some obstacles, especially during the summer months. Our goals, however, are long term. While Mobilize.org hoped the July 1st increase would be sufficient for generating student interest, the summer months have yielded low interest. The campaign will continue into the fall and intensify as back to school expenses are more salient in young people’s minds.