temporarily, other says rates should fluctuate with market forces. >> i think there's going to be some kind of compromise, some kind of adjustment. i don't know if they go to a variable rate loan. my guess is they may just kick the can down the road and say we'll do it for a year and revisit another year later. >> reporter: the higher rates could be a revenue booster for government generating $36 billion this year at a time when congress is scrambling for new sources of cash. though raising rates could cost $5,000 more in loan repayments over 10 years. >> the president and mrs. obama just finished paying off their student loans and the fact they're 40 years old and paying off debt is scary. >> we could be 50, 60 years without having paid off our student loans. >> politician vs to look beyond their own self interest because college students like myself and my peers are counting only them. >> reporter: zane asher, cnn, new york. coming up, a vital message