Student Loans

Student loans create debt burdens that impact families for generations. Black Americans in general, and Black and Latina women in particular -- often are forced to take on more college debt than their white counterparts in pursuit of the American Dream. The student debt burden is felt most acutely by attendees of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. CRL successfully led a coalition of advocates that achieved substantial student debt cancellation in 2022. We continue to advocate for higher education policies to protect student loan borrowers and their parents from falling into a cycle of debt that keeps them from engaging in wealth-building activities. 

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A Bitter Pill: Gainful Employment and Credentialism in Healthcare Support Fields

A Bitter Pill: Gainful Employment and Credentialism in Healthcare Support Fields

The marketing of for-profit colleges is ubiquitous, yet student outcomes are consistently poor. These outcomes include high dropout rates, low and unstable earnings of graduates, and heavy debt burdens that students are unable to repay, often resulting in default and ruined credit. The reliance of for-profit colleges on federal student aid dollars compounds these harms and fuels these poor student...
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Research
Student Loans

Poll: Concern over Student Loan Debt Reaches Critical Mass in Maryland

Poll: Concern over Student Loan Debt Reaches Critical Mass in Maryland

Among Maryland voters, concern over student loan debt has reached a critical mass: 71% say student loan debt in the state is a "major problem;" 82% agree that the overall outstanding student loan debt represents a financial crisis; and 87% say the federal government should not force states to step aside when addressing the student loan crisis, but work with...
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Research
Student Loans

Comments on Priorities for the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA)

Comments on Priorities for the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA)

Any proposal should hold to the spirit of the original HEA which sought to open the doors of higher education to all. This proposition connotes meaningful access and opportunity to quality higher education programs, not simply the creation of more options or the provision of unduly burdensome loans. Despite this goal, our current system is at risk of curtailing the...
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Comment Letter
Student Loans

War Against Students: H.R. 4508 – Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act

War Against Students: H.R. 4508 – Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act

The PROSPER Act is yet another boost for the private sector instead of consumers and taxpayers. At a time when college affordability is increasingly beyond the financial reach of most Americans, the future of higher education and student lending will affect both consumers and our nation’s ability to effectively compete in a global economy. With more than 44 million Americans...
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Research
Student Loans

Opposition to H.R. 4508 - Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act

Opposition to H.R. 4508 - Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act

This letter to Virginia Foxx, chairwoman of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, voices CRL's strong opposition to H.R. 4508, "Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act." Prosperity and economic security are laudable and elusive goals for many Americans, and we believe the Higher Education Act should play a key role in increasing...
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Letters to Congress
Student Loans

Results of Bipartisan Poll on Student Loan Refinancing

Results of Bipartisan Poll on Student Loan Refinancing

This poll conducted by Lake Research Partners and Chesapeake Beach Consulting shows overwhelming support among likely voters for policy proposals that assist those with education debt, with particularly high support for proposals that permit borrowers to refinance existing loans2 and to create flexible repayment options. 91 percent of voters favor permitting borrowers to refinance their existing student loans at a...
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Research
Student Loans

Student Loan Debt Crisis - Testimony of August 2017

Student Loan Debt Crisis - Testimony of August 2017

Before the Joint Hearing of the California Assembly Select Committee on Youth and California’s Future and Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Graciela Aponte-Diaz presented the following information in her testimony: First, a snapshot of student loan borrowers, nationally and here in California; Second, highlight major issues with student loan servicing; and Finally, I’d like to provide some policy recommendations for...
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Testimony
Student Loans

Maine’s For-Profit College Students Carry Heavy Debt Burdens and Struggle in Repayment

Maine’s For-Profit College Students Carry Heavy Debt Burdens and Struggle in Repayment

Students at Maine’s for-profit colleges carry higher levels of debt, borrow in higher percentages, and have worse repayment rates on that debt compared to their peers at public and private non-profit institutions. Because African Americans, females, and low-income students are disproportionately enrolled in Maine’s for-profit colleges, these poor outcomes fall more heavily on these vulnerable subgroups. This report uses the...
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Research
Student Loans

Connecticut’s For-Profit College Students Graduate at Low Rates, Carry Heavy Debt Burdens

Connecticut’s For-Profit College Students Graduate at Low Rates, Carry Heavy Debt Burdens

Students at Connecticut’s for-profit colleges graduate at lower rates than their peers at public and private non-profit institutions. Those who do graduate carry higher levels of debt and higher default rates on that debt. Because African Americans and Hispanics are disproportionately enrolled in Connecticut’s for-profit colleges, these poor outcomes fall more heavily on people of color. This report uses the...
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Research
Student Loans
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