College Grads Battle Debt And Unemployment
PALM DESERT – The tough economic times are hitting college students from all angles. The cost of tuition is on the rise, books cost more, and classes have been cut because of budget cuts. Now, students are swamped with debt and many have no way to pay it off.
“I owe about $5,000,” saysCal State-San Bernardino student Amber Hardcastle.
This was money spent with hopes of landing a high-paying career, but instead students are left with a hefty bill.
“There are no jobs and no way to pay for school,” says Hardcastle.
Diane Sandavol is a student at California State University San Bernardino’s Palm Desert campus. She’s racked up thousands of dollars in college loans. Like most students, she hoped to graduate, get a good job, and pay it off fast. However, the economy crushed that plan.
“I’m going into teaching and jobs are declining,” says Sandavol.
About half of all college students graduate with debt. The average amount is around $15,000 to $20,000. That’s up more than 10 percent fromfour years ago. The main reason for the increase in debt is the rise in college costs.
Year after year, the price of college rises and books are more expensive, too. This is forcing students to take out larger loans.
“The increase in fees makes it hard to come to school,” says Sandavol.
As Sandoval prepares to enter the real world and join the job hunt, she’s realizing this true test of economics will be much tougher than any college exam.
“It’s going to be really hard,” says Sandavol.
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