“Students in need of support should max out other sources of financial or in-kind help that do not need to be paid back, like emergency aid from their college or campus food banks [before rolling over a credit card balance.]”

“Capping your payments so that you never pay more than 5 percent of your discretionary income... just like forgiveness, will have a cost to taxpayers, because they will recoup less of the student debt.”

“Did this investment in students lead in the long run to more bachelor’s degrees? It didn’t.”

“If there is a recession, this would likely increase enrollment and more of those college-going students will again become eligible for Pell Grants, necessitating more spending.”

“COVID-19 could draw attention to food and housing insecurity among college students, and give college leaders a chance to consider how to address these needs more systematically over the long term.”

“Students are making financing decisions based on the prices and the constraints they face.”

“Financial advice can be very valuable, but when it comes to student loan repayment plans, there’s free advice out there.”

“The budget shortfall for the Monetary Award Program creates an opportunity to study the effects of the grant program.”

“People have alternatives to going to college in terms of better job opportunities. That makes it sort of a different picture for colleges as they’re trying to increase access, increase completion of degrees.”