Uncovering the billions of dollars in student debt you never heard of
There’s a whole world of student debt that no one is talking about. In fact, most people don’t know it exists. Millions of students owe billions of dollars directly to their colleges and universities, and without the safeguards of federal student loans, these debts can be especially damaging. Some come in the form of loans provided directly by the colleges. Some students have their transcripts withheld for small unpaid balances. And a student’s original bill can skyrocket when debt is handed to private collection agencies.
We’re investigating this hidden debt.
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The Big Picture
Withholding college transcripts for loan payment is ‘abusive,’ federal agency says
Colleges are withholding transcripts and degrees from millions over unpaid bills
Left in the lurch by for-profit college direct loans
Public colleges shock students by sending them to costly debt collection agencies
Read More
Trucking companies train you on the job. Just don’t try to quit.
Overdue tuition and fees — as little as $41 — derail hundreds of thousands of California college students
The end of ‘dark days’ for SUNY students in debt
Why does New York state sue its college students?
In Massachusetts, public colleges send debt collectors after nearly 12,000 students
BY THE NUMBERS
$4 billion
Minimum estimated amount colleges have loaned directly to students
$25
Amount of debt that can prevent a student from getting a transcript from certain public universities
