USA Student Debt

Student loan debt in the United STates has reached over 1 trillion (with a "t") dollars. Due to the skyrocketing cost of college (which had increased significantly even when accounted for with inflation), some have proposed new reforms from making college free to forgiving all student debt to freezing tuition cost.
Why do you think the cost of college has increased so much?
How can the price go down?
What methods should (or not) be implemented to deal with this?
What message does this new generation need to know about college? Is it worth it? Is it the failure of the American education system to prepare people for college? Is it the fault of the student for majoring in a degree they may not find employment in or the fault of a society that inspires people to be what they want to be?

Donald Trump.

Let's get out of the Middle East. And stop spending billions on useless arms.

Clearly school is a joke. You can learn it all online.

Or just go to community for the first couple years while working like anyone who isn't a total retard

Americans have been mocking and rejecting european educational system since forever, because it is too "socialistic". Republicans especially shit on it at every opportunity. You reap what you sow. Now European union is gonna pay for all of my higher education in London and you go pay debts

Scritto da Khal.eesi, 14.12.2015 at 19:53

Americans have been mocking and rejecting european educational system since forever, because it is too "socialistic". Republicans especially shit on it at every opportunity. You reap what you saw. Now European union is gonna pay for all of my higher education in London and you go pay debts

And then you give all the money you earn to the government for the rest of your life while we only squander for a couple decades :3 #Austerity

Scritto da Pheonixking929, 14.12.2015 at 20:19

Scritto da Khal.eesi, 14.12.2015 at 19:53

Americans have been mocking and rejecting european educational system since forever, because it is too "socialistic". Republicans especially shit on it at every opportunity. You reap what you saw. Now European union is gonna pay for all of my higher education in London and you go pay debts

And then you give all the money you earn to the government for the rest of your life while we only squander for a couple decades :3 #Austerity

Nah i wasnt talking about Greece though hue. Although the unis are free here too, due to austerity they are shit. I am talking about UK specifically, who has brilliant universities, in fact the best Europe has to offer and is you know, kind of free. If the European Union and England can afford to do this, sure as hell USA can do it too. But nevermind who needs a good, affordable educational system, who needs Nasa funding for Mars project, lets dump everything to have enough trillions to pay for "defense".

Scritto da Khal.eesi, 14.12.2015 at 20:44

Scritto da Pheonixking929, 14.12.2015 at 20:19

Scritto da Khal.eesi, 14.12.2015 at 19:53

Americans have been mocking and rejecting european educational system since forever, because it is too "socialistic". Republicans especially shit on it at every opportunity. You reap what you saw. Now European union is gonna pay for all of my higher education in London and you go pay debts

And then you give all the money you earn to the government for the rest of your life while we only squander for a couple decades :3 #Austerity

Nah i wasnt talking about Greece though hue. Although the unis are free here too, due to austerity they are shit. I am talking about UK specifically, who has brilliant universities, in fact the best Europe has to offer and is you know, kind of free. If the European Union and England can afford to do this, sure as hell USA can do it too. But nevermind who needs a good, affordable educational system, who needs Nasa funding for Mars project, lets dump everything to have enough trillions to pay for "defense".

Correct me if I'm wrong, but most students in the United Kingdom do not go to university-they go to trade schools. SO why can the UK afford it? Because unlike in the US (where there is this insidious idea you MUST go to college to succeed) the UK (and other countries like Germany) have great trade schools, apprenticeships, and an American equivalent to VOTEC than does the United States. Over in the UK, you have to be fairly smart to get into universities (and therefor get it paid for by the government) unlike in the US where colleges accept basically everyone from all facets of society increasing demand and increasing the cost. And considering the US has a half trillion dollar deficit and a 18.7 trillion dollar debt, I don't think free college will be able to come about until the deficit is eliminated for some time and the debt is paid down.

Scritto da Khal.eesi, 14.12.2015 at 19:53

Americans have been mocking and rejecting european educational system since forever, because it is too "socialistic". Republicans especially shit on it at every opportunity. You reap what you sow. Now European union is gonna pay for all of my higher education in London and you go pay debts

You're still a slave

Scritto da Pheonixking929, 14.12.2015 at 20:52

Scritto da Khal.eesi, 14.12.2015 at 20:44

Scritto da Pheonixking929, 14.12.2015 at 20:19

Scritto da Khal.eesi, 14.12.2015 at 19:53

Americans have been mocking and rejecting european educational system since forever, because it is too "socialistic". Republicans especially shit on it at every opportunity. You reap what you saw. Now European union is gonna pay for all of my higher education in London and you go pay debts

And then you give all the money you earn to the government for the rest of your life while we only squander for a couple decades :3 #Austerity

Nah i wasnt talking about Greece though hue. Although the unis are free here too, due to austerity they are shit. I am talking about UK specifically, who has brilliant universities, in fact the best Europe has to offer and is you know, kind of free. If the European Union and England can afford to do this, sure as hell USA can do it too. But nevermind who needs a good, affordable educational system, who needs Nasa funding for Mars project, lets dump everything to have enough trillions to pay for "defense".

Correct me if I'm wrong, but most students in the United Kingdom do not go to university-they go to trade schools. SO why can the UK afford it? Because unlike in the US (where there is this insidious idea you MUST go to college to succeed) the UK (and other countries like Germany) have great trade schools, apprenticeships, and an American equivalent to VOTEC than does the United States. Over in the UK, you have to be fairly smart to get into universities (and therefor get it paid for by the government) unlike in the US where colleges accept basically everyone from all facets of society increasing demand and increasing the cost. And considering the US has a half trillion dollar deficit and a 18.7 trillion dollar debt, I don't think free college will be able to come about until the deficit is eliminated for some time and the debt is paid down.

not an expert on British students, but i am under the impression young brits attend trade schools, same as all the other students, meaning only a small percentage. All European citizens are able to, i think. As for the other thing you mentioned, that has to do with American culture and cannot be blamed on your government (the fact that not only everyone wants to go to uni, but no one ever fucking reads, they just want to have parties and get a diploma) What your government is to blame, is the educational system as a whole that not only sucks but it costs a fortune. Universities are milking you and its a shame. The debt wont fall, deficits will always exist and unis will keep milking you i am afraid, unless complete overhaul.

Scritto da Khal.eesi, 14.12.2015 at 21:03

Scritto da Pheonixking929, 14.12.2015 at 20:52

Scritto da Khal.eesi, 14.12.2015 at 20:44

Scritto da Pheonixking929, 14.12.2015 at 20:19

Scritto da Khal.eesi, 14.12.2015 at 19:53

Americans have been mocking and rejecting european educational system since forever, because it is too "socialistic". Republicans especially shit on it at every opportunity. You reap what you saw. Now European union is gonna pay for all of my higher education in London and you go pay debts

And then you give all the money you earn to the government for the rest of your life while we only squander for a couple decades :3 #Austerity

Nah i wasnt talking about Greece though hue. Although the unis are free here too, due to austerity they are shit. I am talking about UK specifically, who has brilliant universities, in fact the best Europe has to offer and is you know, kind of free. If the European Union and England can afford to do this, sure as hell USA can do it too. But nevermind who needs a good, affordable educational system, who needs Nasa funding for Mars project, lets dump everything to have enough trillions to pay for "defense".

Correct me if I'm wrong, but most students in the United Kingdom do not go to university-they go to trade schools. SO why can the UK afford it? Because unlike in the US (where there is this insidious idea you MUST go to college to succeed) the UK (and other countries like Germany) have great trade schools, apprenticeships, and an American equivalent to VOTEC than does the United States. Over in the UK, you have to be fairly smart to get into universities (and therefor get it paid for by the government) unlike in the US where colleges accept basically everyone from all facets of society increasing demand and increasing the cost. And considering the US has a half trillion dollar deficit and a 18.7 trillion dollar debt, I don't think free college will be able to come about until the deficit is eliminated for some time and the debt is paid down.

not an expert on British students, but i am under the impression young brits attend trade schools, same as all the other students, meaning only a small percentage. All European citizens are able to, i think. As for the other thing you mentioned, that has to do with American culture and cannot be blamed on your government (the fact that not only everyone wants to go to uni, but no one ever fucking reads, they just want to have parties and get a diploma) What your government is to blame, is the educational system as a whole that not only sucks but it costs a fortune. Universities are milking you and its a shame. The debt wont fall, deficits will always exist and unis will keep milking you i am afraid, unless complete overhaul.

Our education system has an immense problem with this burden of the idea that you must go to college. What I envy in Europe is the fact that over there if you go to trade school it's not looked down upon. Over here, it's all about college. SAT's this, ACT's that. There are great STEM programs or VOTEC schools people can go to to develop a skill and get a job. Instead many people are swayed to go to college, can't handle the load, either drop out and still have all this debt, or are led to believe they can major in anything and be successful (cough cough, philosophy!!). In the US, you basically go to high school (grades 9-12, kinda liek secondary school I think) and then it's expected you go to college. No one even thinks about going to trade school. It's horrible and needs to be fixed.

Scritto da For Antioch, 14.12.2015 at 21:28

I have tons of debt and haven't yet graduated, yet I can still afford to buy a house and enjoy a high standard of living. I don't have to worry about it, because I have plenty of job prospects and will be able to pay it all off in a few years.

Its not really that bad if you make a little effort. Work along with school, study something that can get you a job, and you'll be fine.

The issue is that many people are pressured to go to college (who shouldn't be going to college). They get false hopes, they go to college, they get into debt, they choose a major they can't find a job in, they only find low skill, low paying jobs, their trapped in debt and many times end up in poverty. I'm not dissing people who go into debt(I'm one of them but just like you have job prospects), I just have an issue with an education system that says if you don't go to college you fail at life. It sets people up for failure with the added bonus of debt you won't repay.

Scritto da For Antioch, 14.12.2015 at 21:45

I tried to pronounce your name out loud and ended up saying "colonoscopy".

So let me get this straight the great nation of USA does not subside public or private colleges and universities? Even Vietnam subsidies colleges and universities and we broke as shit.

In poor banana republic of Croatia, college is free for regular students who pass tests and give years

If you don't have money to pay for high school or faculty, don't bother graduating, start working. - Archibald Reiss (swiss citizen, one of the wealthiest nations on earth)

Reiss has a point, education won't bring you high(er) standard of life, atleast not in capitalism, education only brings knowledge, which does not guarantee good job, opportunity or wealth (in capitalism). Peasants don't need faculty to teach them how to produce food, yet they (can) earn same as city factory workers but have better life because there is no pollution or crime in the countryside like in crowded dirty cities. City dwellers need education to find better paying job so they can fund their lifestyle in polluted cities where every second child have respiratory problem and large amount of money is spent on doctors, healthcare and medications, fuel for cars to move around the city, trucks, buses and not to mention the rest

Reiss did not said that because schools are private or expensive, because schools are free to attend - but schools are usually in cities, so countryside students would have to move to the city, paying for house or rent, buy or rent the car and pay for his living and consumption. Not worth it on the long run as countryside student will get a job in the city after graduation, his farm wil decay, food prices goes up because demand and salaries in the country remain the same - creating crisis and forcing people to loan and thus develop debt instead economy or quality of life.



Whole American system is based on debt, everything and everyone is funded by debt, you wanna start a job - get a loan to start up, you wanna study - get a loan to pay, you want a car - get a loan. Or worse.. mortgage. It's fine on the short run, you get 5% growth in economy, industry developing, no unemployment, decent salaries, and 200 years going on like that, becoming number one economy, powerhouse. But now when time comes to return loan(pay debt) and you don't have you create crisis. Now with 18 trillion dollars debt (and another $2 trillion on the way courtesy of Mubarak Obama) it's pretty much game over. The only way i see Americans paying debt is if IRS(or any other state agency) take half of saving average american have and pay debt with that money. But that will create riots, demonstrations and clashes with police. It will discourage people to work as they will expect state to take their savings and trigger mass emigration probably.

The best you can do now is let it go, embrace crisis and bankrupcy, let politicians divide federal property and assets and split on 50 republics. Then every republic will be obliged to pay debt in amount of average $300 billion (only..), which is more realistic and acceptable and with proper policies can be achieved in 5 to 10 years without harsh austerity like Greece and EU imposed on itself.

It is simple: stay together and be poor or split and be rich.

Lol government payng for my student loan while I watch movies all day and jerk off

Scritto da Meester, 15.12.2015 at 02:41

So let me get this straight the great nation of USA does not subside public or private colleges and universities? Even Vietnam subsidies colleges and universities and we broke as shit.

Not exactly. The US government does subsidize public universities and also offers all students (that are U.S citizens) student loans at relatively low rates and you don't have to start paying back until you get your first job. It's not a great system but I think it's more a societal issue like phoenixking is arguing than the government's fault.

Scritto da Acquiesce, 15.12.2015 at 11:38

Scritto da Meester, 15.12.2015 at 02:41

So let me get this straight the great nation of USA does not subside public or private colleges and universities? Even Vietnam subsidies colleges and universities and we broke as shit.

Not exactly. The US government does subsidize public universities and also offers all students (that are U.S citizens) student loans at relatively low rates and you don't have to start paying back until you get your first job. It's not a great system but I think it's more a societal issue like phoenixking is arguing than the government's fault.

lol did the mods kick you out?

kek

When one of the educational institution's primary goals is business you know thats not a good sign

Scritto da For Antioch, 15.12.2015 at 12:53

In the US, many farmer's go to college to study modern agriculture and basic veterinary practices, so they can maximize the quantity and quality of their crops and livestock.

In Russia, rare people study agriculture, agrotechnology and agrochemistry. Then farmers call them to visit their farms and ranches, examine the earth and animals and make a list what they need to do to improve and upgrade their business. Then they charge for that, alot. Pretty good business, farmers don't bother studying and wasting time, while they specialize in agricultural advises and charge like lawyers.

Scritto da For Antioch, 15.12.2015 at 12:53

Are you talking about China? Because there is no city in the US I know of that has dangerous levels of pollution.

Any big city recently, children health is deteriorating rapidly. Just compare it with situation before 50 years.

Scritto da For Antioch, 15.12.2015 at 12:53

Per capital number of famers has remained constant over the past 30 years and is projected to stay consistent for the near future.

High birthrates compensate for emigration into cities. Can change along society as a whole, like gmo food, career-before-family, health issues, debt. I expect it to fall, because of things i mentioned and because immigration occur in cities, rarely on countryside (like mexican immigration in America, Arab in Europe or muslim in Russia)

Scritto da For Antioch, 15.12.2015 at 12:53

First off, the growth is 3% and has been for the past 60 years (except for the recession a few years ago where it dropped to 2%). And I fail to see what's wrong with student debts and a mortgage. I have both right now, because I can't afford to go to college or buy a house with the money in my bank. However, spread the payment with interest over the next 10 years with interest, and I will have no trouble paying it back. Loans are what allows most people to increase their quality of life.

You forgot you have a contract. Every contract is different of course, but let's say you agreed to 5 years limit, after that time expire bank have right to ask for repaying debt, if you fail - you are in problem. Same with public/government and foreign/external debt, creditors are waiting time to expire in contract so they can ask for money, then Americans have to simply say 'we don't have' or 'we have, here you go'. And with $3 trillion revenues from taxes, American states cannot pay debt so fast because it is $18 trillion, it can't pay all $3 trn at once, it have public spending to keep the country going, let's say it reduce military spending to $100 billion, that will leave $500 billion available to pay debt, which will take 36 years, unrealistic time for creditors.

There is also conspiracy theory that Federal Reserves spam dollars to use abroad like funding allies and wars, which mean they create inflation and artificial value of dollar. And above that China hold $4 trillion dollars in reserve. Imagine China throw those dollars back to America (buying property, industries, transportation, technologies), that will create even larger inflation and added to American debt and Wall Street brokers and bankers it will create chaos and anarchy. Americans can lose everything they worked for in the last 200 years in one night.

Scritto da For Antioch, 15.12.2015 at 12:53

You want the largest economy in the world to just collapse? Yea, no problems will come from that.

Maybe that's the best? Slow non-painful tortured recovery or fast painful healing, it is simple choice. USSR collapsed in one year and Russia achieved greater wealth than Soviets could dream about, and we are talking about modest Russian achievements compared to Western wealth.

But i'm talking about financial crisis and collapse, not economical, but few economical branches will suffer, that's unavoidable.


Learn from Chinese, they didn't collapse in the 90's like the rest of communists. They allowed capital investment in the country, but not the debt. $2 dollars per month, fine, they work and don't complain, they won't accept loan in order to spend more, they want to earn in order to spend, which is more healthier and stable, and on the long run makes China veeeeery strong. (talking about 70's and 80's)

Scritto da Acquiesce, 15.12.2015 at 11:38

Scritto da Meester, 15.12.2015 at 02:41

So let me get this straight the great nation of USA does not subside public or private colleges and universities? Even Vietnam subsidies colleges and universities and we broke as shit.

Not exactly. The US government does subsidize public universities and also offers all students (that are U.S citizens) student loans at relatively low rates and you don't have to start paying back until you get your first job. It's not a great system but I think it's more a societal issue like phoenixking is arguing than the government's fault.

You have to start paying it back 6 months after you graduate unless you go to graduate school (I think they make an exception for graduate school, but I may be wrong D: ). There's also tons of scholarships people can do if they put the time and effort into it. Too bad so many never do

Scritto da Pheonixking929, 14.12.2015 at 20:52

Correct me if I'm wrong, but most students in the United Kingdom do not go to university-they go to trade schools. SO why can the UK afford it? Because unlike in the US (where there is this insidious idea you MUST go to college to succeed) the UK (and other countries like Germany) have great trade schools, apprenticeships, and an American equivalent to VOTEC than does the United States. Over in the UK, you have to be fairly smart to get into universities (and therefor get it paid for by the government) unlike in the US where colleges accept basically everyone from all facets of society increasing demand and increasing the cost. And considering the US has a half trillion dollar deficit and a 18.7 trillion dollar debt, I don't think free college will be able to come about until the deficit is eliminated for some time and the debt is paid down.

It is true that less than half of people go on to University after completing their A levels, here, but it is more that it is not seen as requirement to go to uni for most people than it is selective; currently we have (slightly) more uni places available each year than applicants across the board, although of course for the good universities the opposite is true.

The government do subsidise universities, but students are also required to pay tuition fees under a complex system as follows:

Universities charge £9000 per year in tuition fees (approx. $14000 per year)

This money is loaned out by the government through a centralised system meaning the government pays the universities this money and you get the debt

However, how much you pay back is based on your income after leaving university so it is never overwhelming

Also, the Government has promised to write off what remains of your loan 30 years after graduating, so you cannot be in debt for the rest of your life (this technically means that only about half of all students will pay off their loan in full as interest is charged)

Scritto da EndsOfInvention, 15.12.2015 at 16:40

Scritto da Pheonixking929, 14.12.2015 at 20:52

Correct me if I'm wrong, but most students in the United Kingdom do not go to university-they go to trade schools. SO why can the UK afford it? Because unlike in the US (where there is this insidious idea you MUST go to college to succeed) the UK (and other countries like Germany) have great trade schools, apprenticeships, and an American equivalent to VOTEC than does the United States. Over in the UK, you have to be fairly smart to get into universities (and therefor get it paid for by the government) unlike in the US where colleges accept basically everyone from all facets of society increasing demand and increasing the cost. And considering the US has a half trillion dollar deficit and a 18.7 trillion dollar debt, I don't think free college will be able to come about until the deficit is eliminated for some time and the debt is paid down.

It is true that less than half of people go on to University after completing their A levels, here, but it is more that it is not seen as requirement to go to uni for most people than it is selective; currently we have (slightly) more uni places available each year than applicants across the board, although of course for the good universities the opposite is true.

The government do subsidise universities, but students are also required to pay tuition fees under a complex system as follows:

Universities charge £9000 per year in tuition fees (approx. $14000 per year)

This money is loaned out by the government through a centralised system meaning the government pays the universities this money and you get the debt

However, how much you pay back is based on your income after leaving university so it is never overwhelming

Also, the Government has promised to write off what remains of your loan 30 years after graduating, so you cannot be in debt for the rest of your life (this technically means that only about half of all students will pay off their loan in full as interest is charged)

I was familiar a little with the UK system for loans but glad to have a more refined layout of it (with numbers as well). I like the UK model for loan payment but will find it hard to believe the US will ever have something similar (especially with the write off after 30 years).

Scritto da Acquiesce, 15.12.2015 at 11:38

Not exactly. The US government does subsidize public universities and also offers all students (that are U.S citizens) student loans at relatively low rates and you don't have to start paying back until you get your first job. It's not a great system but I think it's more a societal issue like phoenixking is arguing than the government's fault.

Now I'm kinda curious how low your subsidize are that student come out of college with crippling debt. Here in Vietnam student loans are available to all student who finish high school, but unlike the US the loans are only adjusted for inflation so you never pay back more than you borrowed.

Doesn't leave much room for the government to make any money but like Tactician said..

Scritto da The Tactician, 15.12.2015 at 12:48

When one of the educational institution's primary goals is business you know thats not a good sign

Scritto da Meester, 16.12.2015 at 09:02

Scritto da Acquiesce, 15.12.2015 at 11:38

Not exactly. The US government does subsidize public universities and also offers all students (that are U.S citizens) student loans at relatively low rates and you don't have to start paying back until you get your first job. It's not a great system but I think it's more a societal issue like phoenixking is arguing than the government's fault.

Now I'm kinda curious how low your subsidize are that student come out of college with crippling debt. Here in Vietnam student loans are available to all student who finish high school, but unlike the US the loans are only adjusted for inflation so you never pay back more than you borrowed.

Most people who come out with crippling debt go to private universities, which aren't subsidized, I was going to go to a private university but changed my mind because it was so much cheaper to go to a public one

Scritto da Viruslegion, 16.12.2015 at 10:52

Scritto da Meester, 16.12.2015 at 09:02

Scritto da Acquiesce, 15.12.2015 at 11:38

Not exactly. The US government does subsidize public universities and also offers all students (that are U.S citizens) student loans at relatively low rates and you don't have to start paying back until you get your first job. It's not a great system but I think it's more a societal issue like phoenixking is arguing than the government's fault.

Now I'm kinda curious how low your subsidize are that student come out of college with crippling debt. Here in Vietnam student loans are available to all student who finish high school, but unlike the US the loans are only adjusted for inflation so you never pay back more than you borrowed.

Most people who come out with crippling debt go to private universities, which aren't subsidized, I was going to go to a private university but changed my mind because it was so much cheaper to go to a public one

Define crippling debt por favor. I was under the impression that many people come out with upwards of 30k in debt (public school, this taken into account with interest for the loans). The average loan takes 2 decades to pay off. My question is how much would it cost to make all public universities free.

Scritto da Skanderbeg, 15.12.2015 at 13:32

In Russia, rare people study agriculture, agrotechnology and agrochemistry. Then farmers call them to visit their farms and ranches, examine the earth and animals and make a list what they need to do to improve and upgrade their business. Then they charge for that, alot. Pretty good business, farmers don't bother studying and wasting time, while they specialize in agricultural advises and charge like lawyers.

bitch i'm an expert and i'm not even a farmer, i just needed to fill up a lot of study points to finish high school and i was learning in argiculutral school, here is some of my points:

21 in agriculture (6 practical)
5 in programming
3 in math
2 in history

i think i might be able to get money for advising farmers

Scritto da Acquiesce, 14.12.2015 at 22:44

Scritto da For Antioch, 14.12.2015 at 21:45

I tried to pronounce your name out loud and ended up saying "colonoscopy".

American can't read... sigh. Koniec Polski (Koniyets/Koneeyets Polski/Polsky). Means End of Poland or Polish End.