And one area Oregon Senator Ron Wyden wants to tackle is tax credits for higher education.

Wyden believes much can be done to simplify the tax code to help students avoid huge debt after they graduate.

"We understand that some student loan debt may be unavoidable.  But leaving students with less debt is possible.  Simplifying the tax code and making education incentives more user-friendly is not just possible, it's essential.  I've outlined some common-sense steps I believe this committee can take on a bi-partisan basis to help students avoid taking on paralyzing amounts of debt."

Wyden who is Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee says education tax benefits need to be simplified and more accessible.

In Oregon, the average four year grad leaves school 27 thousand in debt.