A growing number of people are concerned about how student debt affects borrowers’ lives, but there is insufficient focus on how student debt affects different groups of borrowers.

Black students, for example, borrow for college at higher rates than their peers and struggle more than others with repayment. Asian and Hispanic students generally borrow less than others in similar programs.

For counselors working with high school students or adults returning to college, information on racial and ethnic disparities in student loan borrowing is particularly important. The fact sheets and in-depth appendixes below highlight racial and ethnic differences in student loan borrowing and repayment. This project aims to help counselors and other practitioners better understand how borrowing for college affects students from different demographic groups, those who enroll in different programs at different types of institutions, and those who complete their programs instead of leaving without a credential.

This project was funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. We thank them for their support but acknowledge that the findings and conclusions presented in these fact sheets and appendixes are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Foundation.

Fact Sheets

• The High-School-to-College Transition: Helping Students Navigate Decisions about Borrowing for College
  Written for counselors, this fact sheet details racial and ethnic differences in student loan borrowing and repayment among recent high school students, as well as differences by type of institution and degree.
• Returning to School: Helping Students Navigate Decisions about Borrowing for College
  Written for counselors who work with returning students, this fact sheet details racial and ethnic differences in student loan borrowing and repayment among older students, as well as differences by type of institution and degree.
• Repaying College Loans: Helping Students Make Good Decisions
  This fact sheet details loan repayment options and outcomes for different groups of students.
• Racial and Ethnic Differences in Student Debt: What Policymakers Should Know
  This fact sheet discusses the policy implications of racial and ethnic differences in student debt.

Technical Appendixes

These companions to the fact sheet provides detailed information, data, and guidance for readers.

• The High-School-to-College Transition: Helping Students Navigate Decisions about Borrowing for College: Appendix
• Returning to School: Helping Students Navigate Decisions about Borrowing for College: Appendix