Some who took out parent PLUS loans to send their kids to college expect to die with debt

In 2015, Kimara Shields took out a parent PLUS loan to support her daughter Ashante’s college education at Stevenson University. Facing a funding gap between federal grants and the total cost, Shields, like many parents, saw this loan as the only viable option. However, with the COVID-era pause on federal student loan payments ending, Shields is grappling with a monthly bill rivaling her mortgage. This predicament is not unique, as millions of Americans, particularly those from working-class backgrounds, have turned to parent PLUS loans to bridge the financial divide for their children’s education.

Initially designed in the 1980s for high-income parents, the parent PLUS loan has become increasingly popular among low-income parents, particularly people of color. Black families, who earn about half of what white families do on average, find themselves resorting to these loans, driven by a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education. However, research suggests that the loans might do more harm than good, with limited information-sharing about their terms and potential risks. The emotional investment in the value of a college education, especially in the Black community, further complicates the situation.

The lack of income requirements, borrowing limits, and rising college costs have turned parent PLUS loans into a potential trap. Critics argue that colleges, in promoting these loans, contribute to the problem by making higher education seem more affordable on the surface. Recent initiatives aim to bring transparency to the issue, urging colleges to list parent PLUS separately in financial aid letters. However, the challenges persist, with interest rates higher than other federal student loans, limited forgiveness options, and difficulties in navigating repayment plans……….[read more]

Rising Dough

Considering the complexities and challenges parents face navigating the financial aspects of higher education, what steps can educational institutions take to provide more comprehensive and transparent information about the long-term implications of parent PLUS loans? How might these institutions balance the goal of expanding access to education with the responsibility of ensuring families fully understand the financial commitments involved?

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