CRL recently expressed support for the Massachusetts' Attorney General proposed regulations for occupational and for-profit schools. In its comments, CRL cited that although only 13 percent of students are enrolled at these schools, they account for 46 percent of federal student loan defaults – often in addition to high-cost private loans.
Student Loans

Student loans create debt burdens that impact families for generations. Black Americans in general, and Black and Latina women in particular -- often are forced to take on more college debt than their white counterparts in pursuit of the American Dream. The student debt burden is felt most acutely by attendees of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. CRL successfully led a coalition of advocates that achieved substantial student debt cancellation in 2022. We continue to advocate for higher education policies to protect student loan borrowers and their parents from falling into a cycle of debt that keeps them from engaging in wealth-building activities.
Filter Results
In reply to the Department of Education's request for comments on the form used by colleges to apply to be eligible for federal student loan funds, CRL called for attention to the arbitration agreements between schools and their students and employees. CRL said that forced arbitration undermines the transparency and accuracy of information reported by the schools, and could threaten the integrity of federal financial aid.
Student loans can help you pay for college, but they're not all alike. This infographic shows the different features of federal vs. private loans. Read the Chapter To embed our infographic to your site, simply cut and paste the code below <a href="http://qa.crl.w.lmdagency.net/state-lending/student-loans" data-mce-href="http://www.responsiblelending.org/state-of-lending/student-loans/federa…"><img alt="Federal vs. Private Student Loans - Infographic" src="http://www.responsiblelending.org/state-of-lending/images/student-loan-… "...
Income and employment opportunities are important for wealth-building and financial well-being, and a college education is critical in today's competitive job market. But post-secondary education has never been more expensive, and most U.S. families rely on student loans to help finance a college education. In the U.S., total student loan debt now exceeds $1 trillion and nearly one in five households has a student loan. This chapter discusses key differences between federal and higher-cost private student loans, and recent and rapid increases in student defaults driven primarily by loans to...
This chapter in the State of Lending report series presents a picture of the overall financial status of U.S. consumers today. It is based on data from the Consumer Expenditure survey, the Survey of Consumer Finances, and other national data sources. These sources reveal that, since 2000, American families have faced declining real incomes,a higher cost of living, greater debt levels, and declining asset values and wealth. Rebuilding the tenuous balance sheets of American households will require access to safe and affordable credit, along with strong protections to prevent predatory lending...
In the U.S. today, total student loan debt exceeds $1 trillion and nearly one in five households has a student loan. This chapter discusses factors leading to the growth in student loan debt and highlights important differences between federal and more costly private student loans. The chapter also shows the spike in student loan defaults and highlights the role of for-profit colleges in this increase. Read this chapter below or download the full report. </p> <div style="margin-bottom: 5px;"> from <strong><a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.slideshare.net/CRLONLINE" href="http://www.slideshare...
Figuring out how to pay for college can be difficult. In this video, Andrea Harris (President of the NC Institute of Minority Economic Development) discusses three important things that parents and students should remember when looking for financial aid or student loans.