re: Do you consider student loans government hand-outs?

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Investing in education isn't a bad thing. I know there are some militant neo-cons here, but the government is using a handout to give the lowest percentage point for a loan you can get, and good on them.

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I see what you're saying, but how is it a handout if there's an expectation of repayment?


Forget the interest rate, a loan is still a loan.

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Investing in education isn't a bad thing. I know there are some militant neo-cons here, but the government is using a handout to give the lowest percentage point for a loan you can get, and good on them. Sure there is waste, and people default on the loan, but so what? In the grand scheme there are a lot bigger things for people to get all riled up over.

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i'm in this camp... while the idea of loan forgiveness pisses me off immensely. there are worse things. i worked 40+ hours a week and skipped meals because i didn't want to graduate with debt, so i made it happen. college wasn't fun for me as a result, but i have a degree despite that. so the pissed off part comes that i could have a bit easier go at college without the insane work weeks and foodless days, in juxtaposition with getting loans to be able to afford text books, meals, better housing, with the idea that the government waves off.

honestly, if anything, i'd rather we move student loans based on need to more of a handout than we do food stamps or or welfare checks.... with a minority or impoverished person getting an education or trade, we have a lot more possibility for a return on investment than we do other forms of welfare.