America's labor market presents a paradox. Although the unemployment rate is just 3.9%, there are more jobs open than people who can fill them. Nationwide, there are roughly 68 workers for every 100 open jobs. Many factors contribute to this workforce shortage, but one of the most significant is a growing skills gap -- millions of workers across…

While Minnesota undergraduates are more likely to take out student loans, they are substantially less likely than their peers nationally to default on federal student loans. Fifty-four percent of Minnesota undergraduates took out student loans in 2007-2008, compared to 39 percent of undergraduates across the U.S. Minnesota undergraduates were also…

This study examined the effects of the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 on Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) borrowing in Pennsylvania during the July-to-December periods of 1992 to 1993. The Amendments increased the annual borrowing limits for the Federal Stafford loans and Federal Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS), eliminated…

Distribution of federal expenditures for interest benefits, special allowance payments, default claims reinsurance, and administrative cost allowances among over 61,000 borrowers is described, including in-school, grace and repayment periods by institution type, years enrolled, dependency status, and family financial circumstances. (Author/MSE)