Rethinking the Student Loan Conversation: Slowing Down and Setting Up for Success (Concurrent Session)
October 29, 2026 | 8:30 AM-9:15 AM |
For years, we’ve told students and families to avoid student loans at all costs. But when college costs exceed available resources, students may ultimately need to borrow—and if we’ve framed all borrowing as bad, they may be reluctant to come back to us for help. Instead, they may turn to high-interest loans with little guidance.
This session challenges us to rethink how we talk about student loans. Rather than simply telling students “don’t borrow,” let’s equip them to understand when borrowing may make sense, how much is reasonable, what federal loans offer that private loans don’t, and how to recognize risky borrowing. We’ll explore how shifting the conversation from loan avoidance to informed borrowing can help students make safer, more sustainable decisions about paying for college.
Presenter | Casi Benedict