Harper College Helps Students Borrow Less

With college student loan debt topping $1 trillion nationwide, Harper College works to help students borrow less, the Daily Herald reports. 

Financial aid advisors at Harper College look for scholarships, grants, or work-study options students can first use before taking out a loan to help reduce student debt. According to the Daily Herald, if a loan is still needed to cover educational costs, students must fill out a budget before applying.

Since Harper implemented the loan policy, the Daily Herald reports, the college has seen a significant drop in the amount of money students are borrowing. According to the newspaper, loans make up 30 percent of the college's financial aid while scholarship and federal work-study now account for about 70 percent.