Taking It to the Limit: Effects of Increased Student Loan Availability on Attainment, Earnings, and Financial Well-Being

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2023
Volume: 113
Issue: 12
Pages: 3357-3400

Authors (5)

Sandra E. Black (Columbia University) Jeffrey T. Denning (not in RePEc) Lisa J. Dettling (not in RePEc) Sarena Goodman (not in RePEc) Lesley J. Turner (University of Chicago)

Score contribution per author:

1.609 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Growing reliance on student loans and repayment difficulties have raised concerns of a student debt crisis in the United States, but little is known about the effects of student borrowing on human capital and long-run financial well-being. We use variation induced by recent expansions in federal loan limits combined with administrative datasets to identify the effects of increased access to student loans on credit-constrained students' educational attainment, earnings, debt, and loan repayment. Increased student loan availability raises student debt and improves degree completion, later-life earnings, and student loan repayment, while having no effect on homeownership or other types of debt.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:113:y:2023:i:12:p:3357-3400
Journal Field
General
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-24