HSU Student Debt Down 40%, Bucking the National Trend

 

Humboldt State University HSU

This is a press release from Humboldt State University:

Big Drop in HSU Student Debt

 

It’s a surprising trend and a bit of a well-kept secret. Even as the nation’s average student loan debt has steadily climbed, it’s actually been going down for students at Humboldt State University.   

A recent analysis by HSU’s Office of Financial Aid found the average debt for an HSU student who graduated with a bachelor’s degree has dropped from $20,982 in 2008-09 to $12,743 in 2017-18.

 

Meanwhile, the opposite trend has been underway across the nation and in California.

 

In 2016-17, the national average debt of students who
earned bachelor’s degrees was $28,350, the state average was $22,744 and within the California State University system (where tuition remained steady from 2011-12 to 2016-17) average debt was $16,625, according to the CSU.

 

“We all know the country is in the middle of a student debt crisis, so it’s encouraging to see our average loan debt steadily falling,” says HSU Financial Aid Director Peggy Metzger. “Some of this has to do with showing students how to manage their money.”

 

Metzger says another factor has helped with overall debt levels, but may make things more challenging for some students. That was the elimination of one type of federal loan. Phased out in 2017, the federal Perkins Loan program provided low-interest loans to undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need.

 

Metzger says educating students about personal finance has helped make a dent in HSU student debt, too. Over the last few years, the University has stepped up efforts to provide budgeting tips and resources to prospective and first-year students. For example, Metzger often shares budgeting tips with students at freshman orientation and in lower-division courses.

 

“This generation of students tends to be more debt-averse, and we want to inform them as best we can so they can get through college and get their degrees,” says Metzger.

 

Among her top tips? Be aware of how much you borrow and spend.

 

“Only take out the amount of loan you need, and don’t necessarily take everything that is offered,” she says. “There are ways to limit spending, such as renting textbooks or using local buses rather than a car. It’s the little things that count.”

 

Borrowing and Budgeting Tips  

 

Here are a few steps students can take to manage their money:

–Avoid unnecessary debt. Decline loans you do not currently need (you can always request them later). You can borrow as you go and request as little as $500 per term.

— Borrow wisely. Be an informed consumer and a prudent borrower.

— Spend wisely. Make your financial aid refund last and don’t spend it all as soon as you get it.

— Plan ahead. Use the Financial Aid calculator FAFSA4caster to estimate eligibility for federal aid and understand your options for paying for college.

— Start early. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for aid and get a jump on your scholarship search.

 

For more management and budgeting tips, go to finaid.humboldt.edu/costs/money.

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Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
5 years ago

Yeh👍🏾

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

I wonder if this reduction has anything to do with the push to enroll out of area students who qualify for high subsidies from the Feds and the State.
https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/humboldt-state-university/paying-for-college/financial-aid/

groba dude trustafarian osnt
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groba dude trustafarian osnt
5 years ago

To go to college, in the USA, first read “Steal this book”, by Abbie Hoffman.

Next, move out of your parent’s house! Get a job, maintain a separate address, live on your own and learn to survive, for at least a year.

You are now prepared!

Now that you are in the proper frame of mind, apply for all the “free” financial aid that you can possibly receive. Scholarships, grants, aid to, whatever. Get work-study! Apply for all of it!

Now, get into your target school, by looking like a good, goal directed student. Have a mission. Smile, this is easy.

Find the cheapest living situation, in history. Fuck the dorms, although they’re a good place to get high and also, to get laid…

But that is easy, for college students, anyway!

Go to class, apply yourself, live in a van, for awhile, shower in the gym, learn to get your education, for basically free! Work your work-study hours, ask for more. Study. Use the library.

By the time you are a Junior, tell the financial aid office that “you need a car, to get to your internship”, “may I have more grants?” Keep pushing the free funding, there’s money for everyone.

Get food stamps, any public aid you qualify for. These methods are time tested, so exploit every program!

When you get you degree, congratulations! You did it (almost) for free! This is the way it should be.

Apparently, 3 out of 4 HSU students get some amount of FinAid. The total debt has gone down, because they all live in their cars, since HSU administrators admitted WAY too many students, for the amount of housing available!

You know, there’s better schools out there, and you could go to ANY school, for free… Try it today!

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago

“The total debt has gone down, because they all live in their cars,”
BAM!

Pharmstheproblem
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Pharmstheproblem
5 years ago

Oh wait you mean common sense approach, live within your means.. Wow what a concept….

groba dude trustafarian osnt
Guest
groba dude trustafarian osnt
5 years ago

No. I mean doing it without loans…

Central HumCo
Guest
5 years ago

These so-called “student loans” are sold off before the signature is dry on the application. Much in the same way mort (dead) guages (chains) are processed.

Law is contract, contract makes the law, and consent makes the contract.

Enter a third-party who does not have a contract with the “borrower”. Making payments to a phantom -with no proof of claim . . . you can see where this goes.