A Generational Approach of College Student Debt in America

As summer winds down, my thoughts turn toward getting the kids ready for school. Even though I am relieved I don’t have to come up with yet another kid-/eco-/budget-friendly activity for the children swarming underfoot, I will miss the patter—or rather, stampede—of little feet in the house.

Except with each passing year, the feet stop being “little,” and back-to-school shopping will someday (soon!) evolve to more than just new outfits, backpacks and school supplies. There will be dorm room essentials to buy, like laundry baskets and XL sheets and shower caddies and lava lamps…er, maybe that last item’s just for me. Add on the textbooks, food budget (or dining hall pass), and oh yes, the tuition, and you just might have finished shopping for soon-to-be college student.

 I hope that my kids will be able to get into the school of their dreams…and then worry about whether or not we’ll be able to afford it. With tuition costs growing ever year, and scholarships, grants, and financial aid becoming increasingly difficult to get, I know we’ll have to rely on student loans for most of the children.

As much as I don’t want to saddle my kids with debt, there are few alternatives (short of winning the lottery) outside of loans. With their future hanging in the balance, it’s important that I learn more about the actual cost of a student loan.

This infographic by Consolidated Credit offers a great breakdown on the cost of student loans, past, present and future.

What are you doing to save money for college for your kids? Do you have any great resources that have helped you plan for this? Leave me a comment . . .

Annette