The federal government has grown in importance for higher education for decades. The most long-lasting effect could be its status as the lender of first resort for student loans. The … Continue reading “Did You Know? Majority of Federal Funding for College Is for Student Loans”
With the hyperbole inherent in a politicized topic like student loans, it’s important to step back and look at the data. The Department of Education recently published a quarterly report … Continue reading “Did You Know? The State of Federal Student Loans”
Most students rely on loans to pay for college; colleges raise their prices, and student debt increases. Now, about 44 million students collectively owe $1.6 trillion in student debt. In … Continue reading “Did You Know? UNC System Grads Carry Less Student Debt”
College students have taken on so much debt that many political leaders are declaring a “student debt crisis.” Certainly, many former students are facing a crisis as they struggle to … Continue reading “Did You Know? Repaying Student Loans Isn’t Onerous for Most Graduates”
Parent PLUS is not typically the loan program making headlines when student loans are in the news. But over the past several years, it has become a central part of … Continue reading “Parents, Student Loans, and Government: An Unhealthy Mix”
Student loan debt, now totaling roughly $1.3 trillion, is the second largest source of debt in the United States. This is especially concerning given that there are presently eight million people … Continue reading “Why Colleges Should Be Allowed to Limit Students’ Federal Loans”
Mark Twain’s famous quip about the rumors of his demise applies to the private higher education lending industry. Many people think that because Congress did away with the nominally private … Continue reading “The Private Student Lending Industry’s Death Has Been Greatly Exaggerated”
At the end of October, the Department of Education released its much-awaited "gainful employment" rule. It is supposed to fix (or at least lessen) the problem that many students who pursue vocational training with federal student aid money wind up without a job that pays well enough for them to cover their loans.
Discharging student debt in bankruptcy would be a good idea, if colleges had a stake.
Should colleges keep students from taking federal loans?