In this first episode of our student loan series, we dive into how this system is set up against you. We examine some common myths about the value of a college education, how the student loan system works under a skewed version of true capitalism, and how universities are incentivized to sell students a dream.

In this episode:

• No one talks about preventing student loans [1:00]

• 90% of parents believe their children are college bound when only 80% even graduate high school [2:00]

• How the government has failed us when it comes to student loans [5:00]

• You can do college “right” and still be broke [15:00]

• Student loans are a distortion of free market principles [17:00]

• Student loans are one of the safest investments, from a banking perspective [20:00]

• The economic burden of not finishing college [24:00]

• Banks aren’t required to give students the best rates [29:00]

• Why does the cost of tuition increase annually? [35:00]

• Financial “aid” [37:00]

• You’ve got options other than taking out student loans [41:00]

• The Real Math [45:00]

• Universities are selling you a dream [49:00]

• You have to WANT to stay out of debt [52:00]

resources:

Paul Taylor, Pew Research Center. Is College Worth It?

Jessica Dickler, CNBC. “1 in 8 Divorces Caused By Student Loan Debt”