Earlier today, A. Wayne Johnson, chief operating officer of the Office of Federal Student Aid, resigned his position, saying the country’s student loan system is “fundamentally broken” and calling for wholesale changes to America’s higher education system.

In response to Johnson’s resignation, Kyle Southern, Policy and Advocacy Director for Higher Education and Workforce for Young Invincibles, issued the following statement.

“With his resignation, A. Wayne Johnson has joined the chorus of higher education leaders, government officials, and young people nationwide who have long been demanding action to stem the rising tide of the $1.6 trillion student debt crisis. Meanwhile, Betsy DeVos’ Department of Education has failed to adequately address the skyrocketing cost of college or give any relief to the young borrowers who struggle every day to make ends meet. Mr. Johnson has recognized what advocates have been saying for years: We need to act now to ensure that every borrower can afford the education they need and graduate without staggering debt that will follow them for years to come.

We hope Mr. Johnson’s resignation is a wake-up call to leaders in Washington. We can’t afford to watch as the student debt crisis continues to hold young people back from financial security.”