Casualties of College Debt: What Data Show and Experts Say About Who Defaults and Why

This report uses the latest federal data on delinquency and default to better understand who student loan defaulters are, explores key themes of who defaults and why that emerged across over 20 in-depth conversations with a diverse group of experts, and lifts up the lived experience of default through voices of borrowers themselves. The report includes recommendations for policymakers to reduce financial hardship during repayment and keep borrowers out of default, and identifies priority areas for further study and action to reduce default.