RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Sixty percent of former college students who are currently repaying
student loans are concerned their student loan repayments will cause
them to work extra jobs to make ends meet, according to a survey
commissioned by Discover Student Loans. This year’s survey examined
perceptions about repaying student loans and the impact of repayment on
finances and lifestyle choices.
Reality sets in for college graduates
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In addition to working extra jobs, more than half (59 percent) of
former college students (identified as those aged 24-28) reported
being concerned about having to give up fun activities to afford their
student loan payments, while only 26 percent of students still in
college or recently graduated (identified as those aged 18-24) felt
the same way.
Students and parents claim to understand the
student loan repayment process
-
53 percent of former students and 54 percent of current or recently
graduated students said they completely or somewhat understand how to
budget their student loan payments alongside other expenses like rent,
food or a car.
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59 percent of former students said they understand how much their
student loan payment will be each month.
-
47 percent of parents with college-bound students and 44 percent of
parents of current or former college students said they completely
understand the impact defaulting on student loan payments has on their
child.
“It’s never too early for families to start discussing how best to
finance a college education. It’s important for both students and
parents to be on the same page and start thinking about and budgeting
for things like student loan payments early on in the process,” said
Nicole Straub, vice president for Discover Student Loans. “Discover has
many free online resources that provide tips and advice on things
families can do at all stages of the college process to help feel more
financially prepared.”
Parents’ primary concerns…and sacrifices
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61 percent of parents of college-bound students, and 56 percent of
parents of those currently in school and recently graduated expressed
their top concern is their child not being able to make the monthly
principal and interest payments on their student loans.
-
A third of parents are willing to give up social media forever if it
meant it would lessen the impact of student loans for their child.
Other things parents are willing to give up include online movie
streaming, desserts for the rest of their life, their cell phone for
five years and the last season of their favorite show.
Getting a job is top priority
-
60 percent of current and recently graduated students and 67 percent
of former students said getting a job was most important following
graduation, followed by having financial stability and paying back
student loan debt.
-
The majority of parents surveyed said their child getting a job after
graduation was the most important thing to them.
“Graduation brings responsibilities such as finding a job and repaying
student loans. As graduates prepare to go out on their own, they should
take time to review their personal finances and prepare a monthly budget
that will accommodate not only rent, food and having fun but a potential
student loan payment,” said Straub.
Discover Student Loans offers tools and resources to help parents and
students understand the college financing process. For more information
about Discover Student Loans, please visit www.discover.com/student-loans.
About the Survey
The Discover Student Loans national online survey of 2,015 students,
former students and parents in the U.S. was conducted between April 26 –
May 7, 2018. Four similar surveys were administered among specific
target audiences, by Research Now, an independent survey research firm.
Target audiences included Parents of “College Bound” Students (age
16-18); Parents of Current and Former (Recently-graduated, age 18-24);
Former Students (age 24-28); Current and Former (Recently-graduated, age
18-24) Students. The margin of sampling error was +/-3 percentage points
with a 95 percent level of confidence.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment
services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S.
financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become
one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues
the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private
student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings
accounts and certificates of deposit through its direct banking
business. It operates the Discover Global Network comprised of Discover
Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one
of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club
International, a global payments network with acceptance in 190
countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.
View source version on businesswire.com:
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Discover Financial Services
Rob Weiss
@Discover_News
robertweiss@discover.com
224-405-6304
Source: Discover Financial Services