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• Oliver's comments came at a meeting organized by U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson about college affordability. Johnson met with students and administrators from Southeast Technical Institute, Augustana College and the University of South Dakota to learn about the issues facing current and recent graduates of institutions in South Dakota.
• Jaelene Pascoe, who graduated from Southeast Technical Institute last month, said financial aid is important for non-traditional students such as herself. The 29-year-

old worked full time while attending the technical school.
• "If I didn't have financial aid, I wouldn't have gone," she said.
• Johnson noted that South Dakota has the highest percentage of students graduating with debt in the U.S. A recent report found 75 percent of four-year graduates leave school with debt, although the average amount -- $23,000 -- is less than other states.
• The Democratic senator pledged to try to halt the interest rate increase on the Stafford loan, which more than 30,000 South Dakota undergraduates receive. He also said he would continue to support Pell Grants and work study programs.
• "We need to make college more affordable and not allow this devastating rate hike to punish our students," Johnson said.
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• DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. (AP) -- Officials in Dakota Dunes are working to build a

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