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Education

College Debt

How College Debt is Putting the Squeeze on Families

Total outstanding college debt is estimated at $1 trillion dollars — and with costs still soaring, the burden on students and their families shows no signs of abating. We're examining how the complicated system of college debt is putting the squeeze on families.

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College Debt

Federal Government Finally Forgives Billions in Debt of Students Who’ve Become Disabled

The move comes after a ProPublica investigation that documented how the government was making it hard for disabled borrowers to get their loans forgiven.

30 stories published since 2011

Nothin’ but Debt: Which NCAA Tournament Schools Give Low-Income Students the Best Shot?

Updated Debt by Degrees

Department of Education Report Calls on Colleges to Step Up Support for Poor Students

Debt By Degrees

Reporting Recipe: How to Investigate Student Debt at Your College

New Data Reveals Stark Gaps in Graduation Rates Between Poor and Wealthy Students

As Pope Pushes to Help the Poor, Catholic Universities Leave Them Behind

Colleges Flush With Cash Saddle Poorest Students With Debt

A Bailout Botched by Centrists

Q&A: Elizabeth Warren on Spiraling Student Debt and What Should Be Done About It

As Parents Struggle to Repay College Loans for Their Children, Taxpayers Also Stand to Lose

After Years of Troubles, Largest Student-Loan Servicers Get Stepped-up Oversight

Public Universities Ramp Up Aid for the Wealthy, Leaving the Poor Behind

Families Shoulder Heftier Burdens as College Debt Swells

For Grieving Father Struggling With Dead Son’s Student Debt, Resolution Comes Four Years Late

Education Department Adopts Crucial Reform for Disabled Borrowers

Another Way Student Loans Are Like Mortgages: Subpar Servicing

Has Your Family Been Denied a Parent Plus Loan? Share Your Story With Us.

How Financial Aid Letters Often Leave Students Confused and Misinformed

No Income? No Problem! How the Gov't Is Saddling Parents with College Loans They Can't Afford

Banks’ Lending Frenzy Left Borrowers Buried in Student Debt, Report Details

Education Department Revamps Broken Disability Review Program

Grieving Father Struggles to Pay Dead Son's Student Loans

Student Loan Borrowers Dazed and Confused by Servicer Shuffle

While White House Emphasizes Easing Student Debt Burden, Fed Contractors Play Hardball

Education Department Backs Away From Fix to Help Disabled Student Borrowers

Disabled Former Cop in Student Loan Story Gets Her Debt Forgiven

Education Dept. Pledges to Overhaul Dysfunctional Disability Review Program

The Reform for Disabled Borrowers That the Education Dept. Refuses to Adopt

Education Department Bureaucracy Keeps Disabled Borrowers in Debt

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

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Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

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Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

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