Obama talks student loans at CU

"We've been in your shoes," said President Barack Obama, explaining how he and first lady Michelle were burdened with student loan debts after college.

The President visited the University of Colorado Boulder to discuss higher education and student loans. His speech was strategic, with the presidential elections quickly approaching.

The outcome of the latest GOP primary appears to place Mitt Romney firmly as the Republican candidate for president. One of Romney's biggest challenges on the campaign trail is connecting with voters.

He and his wife are often criticized for being wealthy and thus not understanding what life is like for a majority of the population.

Obama made it a point that he and his wife, Michelle, led a life that was no different than the experience of most Americans.

"We didn't come from well-to-do backgrounds. We didn't have famous families," said Obama about himself and the first lady, distinguishing his average life experience from the more privileged background of Mitt Romney.

He also said that most jobs require a college education.

"It (college) isn't just the best investment you can make in your future. It is the best investment you can make in your country's future," said the president.

He says this is why college needs to be affordable, adding that the burdens of paying off student loans can often lead to putting off the American dream for some people.

Obama admitted that he and his wife paid off their own student loans just eight years ago.

Now, Obama is pressing Congress to keep Stafford student loan rates low.

The interest rate is scheduled to double from 3.4% to 6.8% on July 1st. This would add an extra $1,000 in debt per year for students.

The president called for students and anyone watching to reach out to their representatives. He even asked people to get on the social networking site Twitter and hashtag the phrase "don't double my rate."

Obama visited the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill earlier in the day, asking them to do the same thing.

He ended his speech by commenting on how great the country is.

"We work together, we have each other's backs," said the President.