This study presents a mixed methods explanatory analysis of the influence of Stafford loan debtload on persistence among undergraduate students attending a Hispanic Serving Institution in the Southwest of the United States. Using data from cohort 2010, fall to fall persistence was examined to assess if debtload was related to persistence for all students and students based on demographic characteristics. Additionally, in-depth interviewing was conducted on undergraduate students who were currently enrolled in the institution to gain a better understanding of their experiences with debtload and if it plays into their persistence decisions. Results of the study revealed a statistically significant relationship between debtload and persistence for all first-time, full-time undergraduate students, White non-Hispanic students, Hispanic students, male and female students, students from low and medium annual household incomes, as well as for first-generation and continuing generation students. Further, low debt was a predictor of non-persistence for each of these groups of students. The findings from the qualitative study confirmed that debtload does in fact influence students in their persistence decision and that the threshold of debt is extremely low for these particular students attending a Hispanic Serving Institution. Conclusion and implications of the study arc presented based on these findings. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]