Student Loan Repayment: Who Is Struggling and What Are the Next Steps?

Join a live expert discussion of default and delinquency

Student Loan Repayment: Who Is Struggling and What Are the Next Steps?
 

Today, more than 40 million Americans hold student loans. The U.S. Department of Education reports that more than 8 million federal student loan borrowers—close to 20 percent—are in default and have not made a payment in at least a year. In addition, close to 3 million William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (the largest federal student loan program, commonly known as direct loan) borrowers are more than 30 days delinquent.

Please join us as we launch a new line of work centered around student loans with an expert discussion of which borrowers are most at risk for delinquency and default, what research is needed to address tough questions, and where policymakers should focus their efforts. Register above to attend in person or join the webcast. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Agenda

8:30 – 9 a.m. Networking and breakfast

9 – 9:10 a.m. Welcome

Travis Plunkett, The Pew Charitable Trusts

9:10 – 10 a.m. Session 1 – Who is struggling the most with student debt?

Moderator: Kimberly Hefling, Politico

Adam Looney, Brookings Institution

Joanna Darcus, National Consumer Law Center

Debra Chromy, Education Finance Council

10 – 10:10 a.m. Break

10:10 – 10:55 a.m. Session 2 – How did we get here? Perspectives from the past two presidential administrations

Moderator: Adam Harris, The Atlantic

Cheryl Oldham, U.S.Chamber of Commerce

James Kvaal, The Institute for College Access and Success

Josh Mitchell, The Wall Street Journal and author of the forthcoming book, Debt Trap

10:55 – 11:05 a.m. Break

11:05 a.m. – Noon Session 3 – Where do we go from here?

Moderator: Jillian Berman, MarketWatch

Matthew Chingos, Urban Institute

Julie Margetta Morgan, Roosevelt Institute

Scott Miller, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency

Daniel Madzelan, American Council on Education

Noon – 1 p.m. Networking lunch

The Pew Charitable Trusts makes every effort to comply with federal, state, and local government ethics rules, including when hosting events. Please make sure that your participation is consistent with applicable ethics rules.

EVENT DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Time: 8:30 AM – 1 :00 PM
Location: The Pew Charitable Trusts
Opinion

Potential Solutions to the Student Debt Challenge? Yes, but More Data Needed

Quick View
Opinion

No one who has recently attended college, or is a parent of someone who has, needs to be told that student loan debt is a fact of life for many these days. But for some former students—whether at major universities, community colleges, or another type of post-secondary institution—repaying loans can be a life-altering struggle. More than 40 million Americans hold student loans, and during the last decade, the amount of money owed on federal student debt jumped from around $500 billion to over $1.3 trillion—surpassing all other categories of household debt except mortgages.