Higher education in the United States is typically viewed as a privilege for only those who can afford it. Many students have resorted to student loans to finance the inflated tuition prices of colleges and universities resulting in a student debt crisis. States in the European Union have been able to create affordable higher education through free or reduced tuition in turn avoiding student debt and boosting the economy. Similar policies can be implemented in the United States to prevent the growing national student debt crisis.

Key takeaways:

• The national student debt has grown to $1.81 trillion, officially becoming a national emergency in the United States.
• The repercussions of the individual debt of students have a strong adverse effect on the national economy.
• The solution to the student debt crisis not only involves heavy policy adjustment but also a change in which the United States views public education.

Policy Paper – Jenna Stinson

The analysis is in PDF under the link below.