Over the last few years we have seen the levels of student loan debt rising at alarming rates. Today, the overall student debt is higher than both credit card debt and auto loan debt. With job opportunities being next to zero for recent college grads, it has many people wonder if college is even worth it. And the big question is "Who is responsible for this debt?" Should the borrowers be held responsible for every dime that they chose to borrow? Or should lenders be on the hook for some of it?
Choice A: The Borrowers
Generally the first group of people to be blamed for the record levels of student debt are the students themselves. If they had not taken out loans at the rates they had, then there would not be a problem like there is.
Most believe that these students should be held responsible for what they borrowed. They knowingly used borrowed money to pay for college, so it's up to them to pay it back.
But how much of a choice did many of these kids have in the first place? Many were raised on the assumption that they would be going to college after high school and had very little conscious choice in the matter. Unless they were very good at finding grants, scholarships, and saving they inevitably had to take out a large loan to pay for college... an idea that had been pressed on them since grade school by teachers and parents.
Choice A: The Borrowers
Generally the first group of people to be blamed for the record levels of student debt are the students themselves. If they had not taken out loans at the rates they had, then there would not be a problem like there is.
Most believe that these students should be held responsible for what they borrowed. They knowingly used borrowed money to pay for college, so it's up to them to pay it back.
But how much of a choice did many of these kids have in the first place? Many were raised on the assumption that they would be going to college after high school and had very little conscious choice in the matter. Unless they were very good at finding grants, scholarships, and saving they inevitably had to take out a large loan to pay for college... an idea that had been pressed on them since grade school by teachers and parents.