Despite substantial investments in financial aid programs, the available aid often falls short of covering the total cost of attendance (Hanson, 2023). Today, college expenses represent 30% of the annual median family income, pushing many students to rely on loans to finance their education (US Census Bureau, 2023). Among student loan borrowers,…

With women undergraduates now outnumbering men, there are now more women than men borrowing for college. A study used three national data sets to examine differences in borrowing between male and female undergraduates. While some differences both in borrowing patterns and behaviors were found, men and women were found to be borrowing similar…

Outlines an approach to better collection of delinquent college tuition that connects students with outstanding tuition to lenders. Suggests criteria for selecting an appropriate lender, and highlights benefits both for student motivation to repay debts and for institutional cash flow. (MSE)

This survey concludes that, overall, student debt has not caused most borrowers to make lifestyles changes nor regret their educational investment. Discussion analyzes borrower debt levels; payment-to-income and debt-to-income ratios; noneducation debt burden; student perceptions about borrowing and debt; effect of borrowing on decision making;…

These proceedings include five papers presented at a symposium on issues related to the increasing amounts of student borrowing and resulting student debt. Also included is a synopsis of a roundtable discussion addressing core questions framed by the symposium, as well as several public policy options for addressing student loan debt burden. The…

This newsletter discusses factors that shape federal education funding policies. It examines the size of the federal deficit and its progress, as well as the factors affecting the resources available for education. The 1993 interest on the federal debt is projected to be $314 billion and payments such as these have held down funding for student…

A discussion of the high level of student borrowing to pay for higher education looks at the situation today, examines college cost and aid trends, explores implications for the future if students continue to increase their borrowing, and offers a proposal to create a new generation of loan forgiveness programs through a public/private…