It wasn't that long ago when the Federal government held the loans at a low interest rate. I don't remember who pushed it over to the banks, but it was near the end of Bush's term, or the beginning of Obummer's term.
I had a loan, but it wasn't that much (less than 1/3rd of a years income after graduation).
But, you are correct in that college's have gotten out of control. No longer merit based to get in, and way overpriced for the value out. Having a college education does not ensure a higher income. In fact, in many cases, people do better without it. But many businesses use a college degree to restrict access to jobs. Unfortunately, they have to in many cases - too many people think they can do a job they are completely unqualified for, and would put other people's lives at risk. So there needs to be qualifications.
As a young lad i saved up 10 grand or so through high school. After 1 year of college i watched it melt away and become 10 grand of debt. Then they wanted me to do that 3 more times. Doing some math in my head i decided this was going poorly and joined the military instead
The college degree worked out for me - I'm doing the kind of work that really fits me, and it helps people as well (bonus). But I tell people (when it comes up) that the degree only matters if it opens the doors you need/want opened. There is one other thing, that used to be true, but probably not so much anymore - some college programs force you to learn things you wouldn't otherwise be interested in, that are actually important in doing a job well. It's not about not hiding secrets no one learns otherwise - anyone can learn what they need to know for many jobs completely outside of college. Unfortunately, too many people don't pay attention to the things they aren't interested in, and won't bother to learn things outside of their primary area of interest.
I say that because I find myself pointing out things to people who should know them, or should have given consideration to them. For instance, when doing precision work, check thermal expansion for small temperature changes. If a 5* temperature shift eats up most of the tolerance, and temp variances on the production floor are greater than that, find a different material to work with - not a piece of scrap in the shop. I should not have to point that out, repeatedly. For some reason, word doesn't get around on that one...
But the lowest income, likely least qualified, students, often get full scholarships, so it is the students from middle class families who take out the loans (the wealthy just pay outright for their children to attend college). Seems like just one more way to destroy the middle class.
In fact, in many cases, people do better without it.
Because there is something amazing about entering the work force debt free, or using money semi-wisely to learn new skills (which is much cheaper to do now with the advent of the internet).
When you are saddled with trying to pay off rent, a vehicle to commute, taxes, fees for your licenses, general home owner / renting bills like electricity etc., and then compound that with 10s of thousands or even 100K+ in student debt, you don't get to think much about improving your skills or working upwards.
It doesn't matter if you're 18, 20, or 30 entering the work force for the first time because of extenuating circumstances, if you can avoid accumulating debt and you don't let yourself get complacent, you can improve yourself and keep moving upward.
When you're saddled with all of the above, you tend to fall into a routine of just trying to stay afloat.
Federally backed loans. Just like when the fed started backing housing loans so banks could make bad loans and still make money - another form of money laundering.
Maybe they always were federally backed, but the interest rates were reasonable, and standards were higher.
It wasn't that long ago when the Federal government held the loans at a low interest rate. I don't remember who pushed it over to the banks, but it was near the end of Bush's term, or the beginning of Obummer's term.
I had a loan, but it wasn't that much (less than 1/3rd of a years income after graduation).
But, you are correct in that college's have gotten out of control. No longer merit based to get in, and way overpriced for the value out. Having a college education does not ensure a higher income. In fact, in many cases, people do better without it. But many businesses use a college degree to restrict access to jobs. Unfortunately, they have to in many cases - too many people think they can do a job they are completely unqualified for, and would put other people's lives at risk. So there needs to be qualifications.
As a young lad i saved up 10 grand or so through high school. After 1 year of college i watched it melt away and become 10 grand of debt. Then they wanted me to do that 3 more times. Doing some math in my head i decided this was going poorly and joined the military instead
The college degree worked out for me - I'm doing the kind of work that really fits me, and it helps people as well (bonus). But I tell people (when it comes up) that the degree only matters if it opens the doors you need/want opened. There is one other thing, that used to be true, but probably not so much anymore - some college programs force you to learn things you wouldn't otherwise be interested in, that are actually important in doing a job well. It's not about not hiding secrets no one learns otherwise - anyone can learn what they need to know for many jobs completely outside of college. Unfortunately, too many people don't pay attention to the things they aren't interested in, and won't bother to learn things outside of their primary area of interest.
I say that because I find myself pointing out things to people who should know them, or should have given consideration to them. For instance, when doing precision work, check thermal expansion for small temperature changes. If a 5* temperature shift eats up most of the tolerance, and temp variances on the production floor are greater than that, find a different material to work with - not a piece of scrap in the shop. I should not have to point that out, repeatedly. For some reason, word doesn't get around on that one...
But the lowest income, likely least qualified, students, often get full scholarships, so it is the students from middle class families who take out the loans (the wealthy just pay outright for their children to attend college). Seems like just one more way to destroy the middle class.
You speak much truth, patriot
Because there is something amazing about entering the work force debt free, or using money semi-wisely to learn new skills (which is much cheaper to do now with the advent of the internet).
When you are saddled with trying to pay off rent, a vehicle to commute, taxes, fees for your licenses, general home owner / renting bills like electricity etc., and then compound that with 10s of thousands or even 100K+ in student debt, you don't get to think much about improving your skills or working upwards.
It doesn't matter if you're 18, 20, or 30 entering the work force for the first time because of extenuating circumstances, if you can avoid accumulating debt and you don't let yourself get complacent, you can improve yourself and keep moving upward.
When you're saddled with all of the above, you tend to fall into a routine of just trying to stay afloat.
My loan was interest free. That was in 1983. And I paid it off in my 20s.
And college cost, what, a fourth of what is does now?
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-government-biggest-financial-asset-212757531.html
Federally backed loans. Just like when the fed started backing housing loans so banks could make bad loans and still make money - another form of money laundering.
Maybe they always were federally backed, but the interest rates were reasonable, and standards were higher.