For students, grants better than loans.

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Author: Langer, David

READERS write

Regarding the May 17 article, "For graduates, student loans turn into an albatross": As a recipient of a free college education paid for under the GI Bill set up in 1944 for World War II veterans, I was saddened to read about our young people being saddled by the onerous loans they need to take out to attend college. It is hurtful to students and our country.

While it was generous for the government to pay for my education, I came to realize it also served as a loan. It enabled me to earn more than I would have otherwise and, as a result, my greater taxes have repaid the government many times over. Moreover, the professional skills I acquired as an actuary have been applied to enable other workers to retire with more adequate incomes, increasing their purchasing power and boosting the economy.

Our students would be more useful and suffer less if they were simply given the money for their postsecondary education. This will pay for itself and strengthen us all.

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By David Langer, Chappaqua, N.Y.