Class

Article

College

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Department

Family, Consumer, and Human Development Department

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

Student loan debts are fast growing in the U.S. Individuals who are considering taking out student loans need to be fully aware of the choices they will make. Using data from the 2015 National Financial Capability Study (NFCS), this study examined the association between financial capability and student loan decisions among borrowers, while focusing on how the association differs across age groups (age 18-34, 35-54, and 55+). The study sample included 7,491 student loan holders. In the study, 51.4% of student loan holders are age 18-34, 20% of those age 35-54, and 11.7% of those age 55+. The descriptive results show that 17.7% age 18-34, 16.4% age 35-54, and 7.3% age 55+ hold multiple student loans. It reveals that about 32% of those age 18-34 carried student loan debt for others (spouse, children or grandchildren); however, about 63% of those age 55+ carry the debt for others, and about 50% of those age 35-54 carry the debt for others. The descriptive results also show that only 37% of the borrowers tried to figure out how much their future monthly payment would be before taking on their loans. The multivariate results show that as compared to those age 55+, individuals age 18-34 were 35% more likely to try to figure out the future monthly payment. The financial capability variable was statistically significant, suggesting that as borrowers had higher levels of financial capability, student loan borrowers were more likely to figure out how much their monthly payments would be. By understanding to what extent the borrowers calculate their monthly payment before they took out the loans and examining the association between financial capability and student loan decision, the findings of this study can provide valuable insights for financial educators, counselors, and planners.

Location

Room 154

Start Date

4-11-2019 1:30 PM

End Date

4-11-2019 2:45 PM

Share

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Apr 11th, 1:30 PM Apr 11th, 2:45 PM

Student Loan Borrowers: Who Figured out Student Loan Monthly Payments Prior to Taking out Student Loans?

Room 154

Student loan debts are fast growing in the U.S. Individuals who are considering taking out student loans need to be fully aware of the choices they will make. Using data from the 2015 National Financial Capability Study (NFCS), this study examined the association between financial capability and student loan decisions among borrowers, while focusing on how the association differs across age groups (age 18-34, 35-54, and 55+). The study sample included 7,491 student loan holders. In the study, 51.4% of student loan holders are age 18-34, 20% of those age 35-54, and 11.7% of those age 55+. The descriptive results show that 17.7% age 18-34, 16.4% age 35-54, and 7.3% age 55+ hold multiple student loans. It reveals that about 32% of those age 18-34 carried student loan debt for others (spouse, children or grandchildren); however, about 63% of those age 55+ carry the debt for others, and about 50% of those age 35-54 carry the debt for others. The descriptive results also show that only 37% of the borrowers tried to figure out how much their future monthly payment would be before taking on their loans. The multivariate results show that as compared to those age 55+, individuals age 18-34 were 35% more likely to try to figure out the future monthly payment. The financial capability variable was statistically significant, suggesting that as borrowers had higher levels of financial capability, student loan borrowers were more likely to figure out how much their monthly payments would be. By understanding to what extent the borrowers calculate their monthly payment before they took out the loans and examining the association between financial capability and student loan decision, the findings of this study can provide valuable insights for financial educators, counselors, and planners.