Pew Provides Input to U.S. Senators on Racial Disparities in Student Debt
Letter emphasizes need for improved flexibility, affordability of repayment system
The Pew Charitable Trusts’ project on student borrower success responded to a request from four U.S. senators for input on racial disparities in student debt and the broader challenges faced by students of color. Pew’s letter draws on results from its national survey on family balance sheets and differences in student debt, income, and savings among white, Latino, and African-American households, and includes a discussion of student loan repayment. The letter also explains why policymakers need to improve the federal student loan repayment system so that more borrowers can successfully repay their loans and avoid delinquency and default.