The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
Understanding Student Debt: Who Borrows, the Consequences of Borrowing, and the Implications for Federal Policy
- Laura Perna - University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education
- Nicholas Hillman - University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
Attending and completing college are significant achievements for many young adults. However, access to and completion of higher education for many are made possible through student loan uptake. Borrowing to attend college (or graduate school) does not necessarily constitute a public policy problem, but when debt falls disproportionately on underrepresented students, deters students from attending or completing college, or is not repaid on time, then policy challenges emerge.
This volume of The ANNALS focuses on who borrows to pay for higher education, why students do so, and the effects of borrowing. It also addresses the implications of student load debt for federal loan repayment programs. With the forthcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA), this volume offers timely and important contributions regarding federal student loan policy.