In 2014, just a bit over 70% of college students graduate with $33,000 in student loans. This number is staggering and why student loan debt has become such a hot topic of debate in the United States. In the meantime I think we, as students need to be a little more involved in our future and the college process rather than placing the burden and stress solely on our parents. There are various things I can do to reduce my student loan debt and avoid the stresses after I graduate college.
The Student Loan Myth Every year, 12 million people are enrolled into a college or a university. During the last 20 years, tuition increased four times faster than overall inflation. After the adjusting for financial aid, families pay 439% more for colleges since the late 1900s. Because of the raise in tuition, students have taken out student loans to pay for their education.
Student loan debt loads have been spiraling, doubling over the last decade, and the enrollment rates of young people from lower socio-economic groups are rising far slower than middle and upper groups. Governments must recognize the renewed public investment in post secondary education is an economic and social imperative. 6.7 million borrowers in repayment mode are delinquent (Snider 1). The sad fact is that many lenders aren't exactly incentivized to work with borrowers. Unlike all other forms of debt, student loans can't be discharged in bankruptcy. Forgiveness programs can be lifesavers for borrowers drowning in student loan debt (Snider 1). However, jobs for recent grads are harder to find and salaries are lower, but that won't last forever; in spite of all of this, the data make clear that getting a college education is still a good idea. College graduates earn more and are more likely to have a job in the first place, and is especially important for some Americans (Webley 2). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2010, the unemployment rate was 9.2 percent for those with only some college and more than 10 percent for those with just a high school degree, but it was 5.4 percent
“The dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement (Adams 1).” A 2002 study found that 17% of student loan borrowers reported their loans had a significant impact on their career plans.13 Today, after the economic downturn, ASA’s survey suggests that number has nearly doubled, as 30% of respondents said their student loan debt was a deciding factor or had considerable impact on their choice of career. In addition, 52% said they either strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement that their “need to pay student loan debt is hampering my ability to further my career.” One ASA survey respondent commented, “I need to have two jobs because of my student debt, and I cannot take employment opportunities that will not make enough money, regardless of the potential that they may have in the future (American student assistance 5).” Relates to definition because they need to have 2 jobs to be able to pay off student debt.
The phrase “education being worth it no matter the cost” has been drilled into students as well as their families. This has led to student loans eclipsing a total of $1 billion every year, and in total reaches more than $1 trillion. While most loans don’t have to be paid off until after graduation, many students aren’t able to find jobs to subsidize the loan payments once they have
According to the last recording of student loan debt, the total amount of the United States student loan debt is roughly one and a half trillion dollars (A look at…). Statistics like these present the urgent need to resolve the major financial issue of student loan debt. Solutions have been given by many people to solve this issue but most solutions fail. The main reason behind student loan debt is falling to far into debt to the point where it is almost impossible to come back. The origin behind all of this is a lack of a student loan amount cap. Overall, this issue affects most people living in our world today and must be fixed for our generation and generations to come.
A college education is one of the most expensive an American can buy in their lifetime. According to a 2014 study, the average amount of student loan debt after four years of college is $30,000 (US News). In 2013, this number was $28,400, meaning that debt is increasing slowly and steadily. Even ten years ago, student loan debt was not nearly this much. Not being able to pay for college is one of the largest factors in why students don’t pursue an education. In countries like Germany and Brazil, college is free to citizens, or requires minimal room and boarding fees. Taking inspiration from these other countries, Bernie Sanders has proposed a formula that will help to create free public universities in the United States. This free college program
So many successful adults till this day are paying back their college debts. Over the years, some are able to pay back their debts in college and others are not able to and are still struggling, due to having to pay other debts that they may have. In some cases, some people drop out of college just so they will not have to owe so much money, but to drop out for that reason is not good. There are several of ways to stay away from college debt and that is getting scholarships, saving money before going into college, and also attending a community college instead of jumping to a university.
Between 2003 and 2012 the number of 25 year olds with student debt increased from 25% to 43% and their average loan balance was 20,326. While some thrive in college, some fail due to stress to succeed while trying to figure out how to pay for their college education. Student debt has surpassed the trillion dollar line and more than 850,000 student loans were in default.
Student loan debt has become a vast problem in today's society. More than forty million people have student debts, and make up approximately $1.3 million of debt in the United States (Knebel). People are delaying major life events in order to pay off these loans. To remedy this, the government should make it possible for people to revise their student loans to fit their salary or implement an income-contingency plan.
Argumentative Essay: Embracing College Debt "By making college unaffordable and student loans unbearable, we risk deterring our best and brightest from pursuing higher education and securing a good paying job" (Pocan, 2016). High school seniors advance into college with little income and no knowledge of managing large expenses. Although college incurs significant debt, it has positive lifelong benefits such as a better job, higher salary with benefits, and obtaining an opportunity for a fuller life. College graduates tend to have better employment opportunities.
Just how awful has the student loan strain become? Rhetoric of crisis influences the present popular discourse, while very few voices call for tranquil, noting the average number of student indebtedness is approximately equal to the cost of a new car. concealed by the aspect and attention captured headlines, though, it is a more embarrassing picture exposing that all classes and groups of students will not bear the increasing debt hardship equally: women, students of color, and Low-income household students are more greatly affected by this escalated debt. I have currently revealed the 30,000 dollars is the typical amount of debt that students will acquire after attending college for four years. Though the cost of college is increasing, a variety
The tuition and cost of college is detrimental to thousands of families across the country and brings student debt to future graduates. Some students have seen their debt climb over $30,000. Friedman writes, “The average student in the Class of 2016 has $37,172 in student loan debt…” (Friedman). With the debts being over the average income for single people households, college has transformed from a benefit to a burden. Young adults not only have to worry about their education but also paying for the next semester or years of college ahead of them.
“Citizens financial group said they might not have gone to college had they known the impact student loans would have on their life.” This quote from Kelli B. Grant shows that student loan debt is hard to get out of if you are in debt with a
“Generation Debt” by Alethea Spiridon is an argumentative essay that outlines the harsh reality of student loans. The author examines the consequences of student loans as well the reasons higher education should not come as an expense to the individual pursuing it. In the current job market a post-secondary degree is a prerequisite for almost any profession and the sad reality is that this costly degree is not a guarantee of future wealth. The author effectively explains why treating education like a luxury good can impoverish everyone, and outlines ways student debt can burden graduates’ lives. However, she fails to examine the reasons student loans can be advantageous, and this is problematic because there are several missing benefits including manageable reimbursement options, lower interest rates, as well as student friendly terms and conditions when compared to a standard loan.