This paper analyses potential links between extreme optimism and student loan debt. Prior work finds extreme optimism to be associated with imprudent household savings and investment decisions. This paper explores whether these findings are relevant to student loan decisions. Using the most recent administration of the Survey of Consumer Finances…

This document records testimony from a hearing before the Committee on Education and the Workforce that was held to examine the implications of Biden's student loan policies for students and taxpayers. Member statements were provided by: (1) Honorable Burgess Owens, Chairman, Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development; and (2)…

When a college closes, it can derail the education of many students, leaving them with loans but no degree. Those who cannot complete their education may be eligible to have their federal student loans forgiven through a "closed school discharge" from the Department of Education (Education), but this process has changed in recent years.…

This document records testimony from a hearing before the Committee on Education and Labor that was held to examine ways to improve accountability and prevent fraud in for-profit college conversions. Member statements were provided by: (1) Honorable Robert C. Scott, Chairman, Committee on Education and Labor; and (2) Honorable Virginia Foxx,…

This document records testimony from a hearing before the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education that was held to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the future of higher education. Member statements were presented by: (1) Honorable Susan A. Davis, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment;…

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program was established in 2007 and forgives borrowers' remaining federal student loan balances after they have made at least 10 years of qualifying loan payments while working in public service. Starting in September 2017, the first borrowers potentially became eligible for the PSLF program and began…

Given the facts that women still earn significantly less than men, that most American students rely on loans to attend college, that tuition in higher education has increased, and that women have to take more students loans than men, can we still claim that we are closing the gender gap? Do females have more burdens to pay off their student loans…

The purpose of this paper is to describe the broad outlines of a new student financing program proposed by the state of Wisconsin and to present illustrative data on the distribution of its benefits. The results presented are both preliminary and partial. The paper is divided into four parts. Part 1 discusses the efficiency and equity questions…

One of the goals of state prepaid tuition and college savings programs is that parents will soon consider participating in Section 529 plans for future higher education costs as commonly as they enroll in 401K plans for their retirement. Too many families are taking on far too much debt for college expenses, and tuition has been consistently…

The National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) is a comprehensive study of how students and their families pay for postsecondary education. It includes nationally representative samples of undergraduate, graduate, and first-professional students who attend less-than-2-year institutions, 2-year institutions, 4-year colleges, and major…

A survey of Rush Medical College (Illinois) alumni included questions concerning indebtedness and its perceived effect on professional and personal lives. Results show little effect on practice setting and family plans, but substantial reported impact on lifestyle. Specialization and debt change over time were also factors. (MSE)

This study addressed the question of whether student loan repayment and default behaviors are more highly related to the characteristics of the college attended or to the characteristics of the aid recipient. The model for the study was based on theories of human capital and public subsidy, ability to pay perspectives, organizational…

This brief statement offers 10 questions for consideration by American Dental Association (ADA) officials and others concerned with the burdensome indebtedness graduates often incur for their dental education. Questions ask for assessments in such areas as school operating costs, tuition, school support, loan forgiveness, and how the ADA can help…

In this study, the effects of differing levels of obligation attached to a gift and differing levels of resources possessed by the donor on the attraction of the recipient toward the donor were studied. Using groups of between three and five college volunteers, subjects were seated in booths constructed so that they could not see each other, were…

Arguing that the benefits from borrowing abroad exceed the costs recently imposed on countries through debt-servicing difficulties, this paper defines debt as an engine of growth, forcing the borrower to produce goods efficiently, export them, and function competitively in the international market. Debt-servicing difficulties of developing nations…