EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AP) — President Barack Obama is calling on Congress and colleges to help make the cost of higher education more manageable.

In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama says higher education is “the surest ticket to the middle class.” But he says paying for that education is a constant struggle for many families.

Obama reiterated his call for Congress to pass legislation letting students refinance their loans at lower interest rates. And he highlighted his plan to tie federal financial aid for colleges to the school’s performance.

In the weekly Republican address, Georgia Rep. Doug Collins calls on Senate Democrats to pass bills approved by the GOP-led House. He says the Senate has failed to take action on more than 340 House-passed bills, including some with bipartisan support.

___

Online:

Obama address: http://www.whitehouse.gov

Republican address: https://www.youtube.com/user/gopweeklyaddress

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.