Researching, Brainstorming, and Organizing: Student Loans

Sarah was all smiles when she graduated and got that degree in her hand. Soon, however, she began to worry about her student loans. Student debt has risen 58 percent in the last decade, according to the College Board, a New York-based college testing and information firm. One study showed that about one third of all recent graduates are unprepared to make their first student loan payment.13 Another report stated that the average bor- rower leaves college owing more than $22,000.14

Your Task. In teams collect information about student debt. Who has it? How much debt does an average student carry? How do most students repay their loans? What strategies are proposed for helping students avoid, reduce, and repay educational loans? As a group, discuss your findings. Brainstorm for additional strategies. Then orga- nize your findings into an outline with a title, an introduction, and recommendations for helping current students avoid, reduce, and repay their student loans. Submit your outline to your instructor.