Among Maryland voters, concern over student loan debt has reached a critical mass: 71% say student loan debt in the state is a "major problem;" 82% agree that the overall outstanding student loan debt represents a financial crisis; and 87% say the federal government should not force states to step aside when addressing the student loan crisis, but work with them, instead.
Maryland voters develop a high level of concern when informed about several matters confronting the student loan industry.
- 86% say it's concerning when told about allegations that $4 billion was added to customers’ student loans by putting these borrowers in the wrong repayment program (66% find this swelling "very concerning" and 20% "somewhat concerning").
- 89% are concerned that credit bureaus were not informed properly that some customers’ student loans had been discharged, leading to serious credit consequences for those affected borrowers (70% "very concerning" and 19% "somewhat concerning").
- 85% of Maryland voters say it’s concerning when hearing about allegations in Massachusetts that some teachers who agree to teach subjects like math and science are having their grants turned into repayable loans simply because paperwork is not being processed properly (66% "very concerning" and 19% "somewhat concerning").
Download the full poll results.
This poll was commissioned by the Center for Responsible Lending and conducted by Gonzales Research & Media Services from March 31st through April 5th, 2018. A total of 412 registered voters in Maryland, who indicated that they are likely to vote in the November 2018 general election, were queried by live telephone interviews, utilizing both landline and cell phone numbers. A cross-section of interviews was conducted throughout the state, reflecting general election voting patterns.