WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill last week met with a number of Missouri college student groups as they visited Washington, D.C. to discuss their studies, the importance of getting young people involved in public service, and efforts to make college more affordable.

Click HERE for more photos from McCaskill’s meetings with Missouri students.

“Meeting such talented and passionate Missouri students gives me great hope for the future of our state and the country,” said McCaskill, a graduate of the University of Missouri. “Students like these are the perfect example of the importance of a quality, affordable education, and I’ll continue to fight for that opportunity for all Missouri students.”

McCaskill spoke to McDonnell Academy Scholars from Washington University in St. Louis, which was established in 2005 to bring together top scholars from across the globe to Washington University to pursue a world-class education and research while forging a strong network with one another. She also met with a group of students and faculty members from Washington University’s Brown School of Social Work to discuss the importance of youth involvement in public policy. Additionally, McCaskill, a former Jackson County prosecutor, met with a group of students studying criminology from Missouri State University who are in Washington to learn more about the criminal justice system.

McCaskill has been a longtime advocate for Missouri students and fighting to make college more affordable. After receiving input from constituents on her College Affordability Tour of Missouri last year, McCaskill backed the Year Round Pell Grant Restoration Act to restore year-round Pell Grant resources for low-income college students to use towards summer courses. After pressure by McCaskill, the Department of Education announced last year that it will begin a loan counseling experiment and has released a new college completion toolkit which would include programs to have student borrowers complete personalized debt calculators as part of their entrance counseling.