Looking for a solution to the jump in student loan interest rates

Antonya Bruno, a senior at Howard University, has used the maximum amount of federal loans over the last three years to help pay her steadily climbing tuition.

"It's been very helpful," she said, happy that she has avoided taking out more expensive private loans.

Because of a political stalemate, however, Bruno will see the interest rate on her new loans double to 6.8% unless Congress can pass a retroactive fix. It could add $1,000 over the life of her loans, and cost new students four times as much.