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[Travis_0004]

11. I would start with more education.

I've asked people who are in school "Do you know how much debt you have", or "Do you know what your payments will be when you graduate?" and most can not answer the question.

I think every semester, before a loan payment is made to the school on your behalf, you should have to log into NSLDS. There a screen pops up saying, "you are borrowing 5k this semester for loans", you click yes. Next screen "you currently owe 25,000 in loans". You click ok". Next screen "if you were to graduate now your payment on these loans will be aprox. xxxx per month". And you click ok a 3rd time.

Some (probably most) would just click through quickly every quarter, but at least they are seeing their numbers out there 2-3 times a year.

Next, I would like to see personal finance offered at the high school level, and strongly encouraged at the college level. I think it would make a great freshman level class, and its relevant to every major. (I found it odd that I graduated with a degree in Finance, and personal Finance wasn't required. In fact, it had to count as a non business elective).

I think more students should look into community college for their first 2 years. I am going to strongly encourage my kids to go this route. Its much cheaper, all the credits transfer to a 4 year college, and if you decided college isn't for you, you can graduate with an associates degree, which is a lot better than half of a 4 year degree.

I would also like to see rates dropped. This was a good change made in August, but it allows rates to go up to 8.25%. Cap that at 4% and it would be better.

I know its not cool, but I think more kids should live with their parents instead of living on their own. I did it, and it sucked at bit for the four, no 5 years I was in school, but it allowed me to graduate with very small student loan debt, and I was on better footing out of school. I know this is not possible for everybody, but its a possibility for a lot of people.