With federal student loan interest rates set to double from 3.4 to 6.8 percent on July 1, government officials have offered a flurry of proposals to prevent the rates from increasing and to help borrowers currently mired in debt. In the chart above, Mother Jones breaks down the long- and short-term fixes for the current student loan crisis from Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, House Republicans, and President Obama himself.
It’s news to no one that the cost of attendance at U.S. colleges has risen dramatically over the past thirty years, leading more students to rely heavily on student loans and become burdened by debt. In the video below, David Lin, an economics professor at American University, explains why tuition costs have increased so quickly […]
It’s no secret that finding a job as a college graduate is tougher than ever. This infographic explains some of the reasons it’s so difficult for young graduates to find good jobs and pay back their student loans.
A majority of the Class of 2013 graduated with student loans. In the video above, three new graduates talk to CBSNews.com how their loans are influencing their plans for the future.
This awesome op-ed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. John Tierney lays out the case for lowering interest rates on all federal student loans. Sen. Warren and Rep. Tierney argue that if banks can get special treatment from the government and are able to borrow at low rates, there’s no reason why students cannot. Right […]
Getting a forbearance on your student loans can be a good short-term option if you’re struggling with repayment. However, the interest can really add up, and you might end up paying thousands of dollars on top of the loan after just a few years of forbearance. Watch the video above for one student’s story about the long-term costs of forbearance.
It’s no secret that college costs have been on the rise for the last few decades.The infographic above lays out in simple terms how the price of college tuition, textbooks, and fees has skyrocketed, and how student debt has ballooned as a result.
According to a TransUnion study, student loan balances increased 75% from 2007 to 2012. The average debt per borrower increased by 30% to $23,829. In the wake of surging student debt, USA TODAY explains the best way to pay back your student loans, including deferment, “pay as you earn” plans, loan forgiveness, and more.
The merits of attending an expensive, prestigious private school over a lower-priced public school have drawn even more scrutiny as of late, with students and parents struggling to figure out how to afford college and whether it’s worth the investment. The NY Times examined several studies and spoke with college experts about the value of a degree from […]
With all the talk about surging college student debt and student loan delinquencies, you might be wondering whether college is worth the investment at all.
Despite the dreary economic outlook and rising tuition costs, attending (and graduating from) college and professional schools pays off. The chart above shows the economic benefits and unemployment rates for various levels of educational achievement.