To the Point
Student Loan Debt Surpasses Credit Card Debt
The rising cost of college is forcing students and parents to borrow whatever they can afford and sometimes even more. Does higher education have to create an unsustainable burden? Can students learn what they need without a lifetime of debt? Also, the latest jobs, and victims of Gulf oil spill face delays in getting their money. What about BP?
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenThe rising cost of college is forcing students and parents to borrow whatever they can afford and sometimes even more. Does higher education have to create an unsustainable burden? Can students learn what they need without a lifetime of debt? Also, the latest jobs report suggests a long slog, and the Gulf oil claims process is agonizingly slow. Now BP says an act of Congress might prevent it from paying the bills.
Banner image: Students attend 2010 commencement at Vassar College on May 23, 2010 in Poughkeepsie, New York. Photo: Andy Kropa/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesJobs Report Suggests Long Slog
Total employment declined last month with a net loss of 54,000 jobs. But that's because governments laid off 121,000. Private employment increased by 67,000. This morning, President Obama tried to make the best of it. David Leonhardt is economics columnist for the New York Times and staff writer at the New York Times magazine.
Read the story8 minIs College Really Worth the Price of Admission?
As senior year begins, high school students already are trying to decide what college they want to get into. Both they and their parents are wondering if higher education will mean a lifetime of debt. College tuition is going up faster than medical costs and outstanding student loans have surpassed total credit-card debt.
Read the story37 minBP Say Gulf Drilling Ban Could Prevent It from Paying Claims
Congress is considering legislation that would ban new offshore drilling permits for the company most responsible for this summer's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Read the story6 min
