Student debt onus in U.S. approaching $1.5T

OUTSTANDING STUDENT loan debt in the U.S. increased by $37 billion in the third quarter and stood at $1.44 trillion at the end of September. / BLOOMBERG NEWS
OUTSTANDING STUDENT loan debt in the U.S. increased by $37 billion in the third quarter and stood at $1.44 trillion at the end of September. / BLOOMBERG NEWS

NEW YORK – Outstanding student loan debt increased by $37 billion in the third quarter and stood at $1.44 trillion as of September 30, 2018, according to newly released data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Key insights

  • 11.5 percent of student debt was 90 or more days delinquent or in default in last quarter, a substantial increase from the second quarter
  • A 2012 report noted the delinquency rates for student loans are likely to be understated because about half of these loans are in deferment, in grace periods or in forbearance. This implies that delinquency rates are roughly twice as high among loans counted in the repayment cycle – surpassing $300 billion.

Alex Tanzi is a reporter for Bloomberg News.

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