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The Student Loan Crisis and the High Cost of College

DonkeyHotey on Flickr Creative Common

In August, President Obama signed a bill preventing the doubling of interest rates on federal student loans for those entering college this year. Students borrowing the maximum amount this year will save about $4,600 in extra interest...but it’s a temporary fix.

Next year’s rates, while capped at around 8%, are tied to the fluctuations in the market. But even if the rising interest rates on college loans can be brought under control, it’s doing nothing to slow the rise in the cost of college.

Student loan debt is topping $1.2 trillion dollars this year, and 13% of students are defaulting on their loans.

Today, we talk about student loans and the cost of college. And, we want to hear from you. Are you paying back a student loan? How big is your debt?

GUESTS:

Senator Richard Blumenthal 

Dr. James Schmotter - President of Western Connecticut State University

Charlotte Etier - Graduate student at Central Connecticut State University

Tucker Ives is WNPR's morning news producer.
Catie Talarski is Senior Director of Storytelling and Radio Programming at Connecticut Public.
Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. She served as the Senior Producer for 'The Colin McEnroe Show' for several years before stepping down in 2021 and returning to her previous career as a registered nurse. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows.

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