4 ms·
What's an ROI on a subsidy? The most problematic thing about college loans is not subsidy, anyway (that only applies to interest; the students are responsible
by romwell 8y ago
What's an ROI on a subsidy?
The most problematic thing about college loans is not subsidy, anyway (that only applies to interest; the students are responsible for the loan amounts anyway), but the inability to write these loans off in a bankruptcy as you would with other debt.
This makes these loans special; it takes the risk away from an inherently risky activity (investing/lending).
Of course, this screws the whole ecosystem up. The banks are willing to give these loans to pretty much anyone, and the universities are incentivized to increase tuition because they won't see a drop in admissions since the students are all able to take on more loans - and will do so because one can't get anywhere without education these days. It's a positive feedback loop.
We shouldn't have this for the same reasons that we don't have debtors' prisons anymore. It's a net loss for everyone in the long run.
- deogeo 8y ago> we don't have debtors' prisons anymore. Sadly, the US brought them back: https://www.thenation.com/article/prosecutors-and-judges-have-brought-back-debtors-prisons/ https://www.thenation.com/article/prosecutors-and-judges-hav...