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Citizens say student debt is not NH’s problem (8/2/2015, 234 citizens, 601 responses)
By Jacquelyn Benson
In the wake of a study showing that average debt for students graduating from NH colleges was the largest in the country, the LFDA decided to put the issue to Facebook members, asking, “Should NH take action to alleviate student debt?”
A total of 81% of respondents answered the question directly or with a concurrence, and of these a 71% majority opposed taking action relating to student debt relief, with 29% in favor. Of the remaining respondents, 18% opted to discuss the subject in broader terms while 1% commented on unrelated issues. In sum, 234 citizens participated in the discussion with a total of 601 responses.
Opponents of government action to relieve student debt argued that student loans were a matter of personal responsibility. “Don’t expect someone else to pick up any of your tab,” one commenter wrote. “These people have to make educated decisions and be held accountable for their choices,” another wrote. “I think students should take the initiative to deal with their own debt,” a respondent said.
Supporters countered with statements on the greater benefits of keeping education affordable for young people. “NH should cap student debt based on a projected percentage of earnings upon graduation,” one suggested. “Tuitions have gone way up. It’s not like it was before,” another respondent pointed out. “Nobody here is talking about a free ride. Just a fair one,” a citizen argued.
Those opting not to give a yes or no response to the question discussed broader issues related to student debt and education. “I advocate taking government out of the loan business altogether,” one respondent suggested. “NH needs to create a great workforce pool to retain the graduates,” another argued.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan LFDA takes no position on this or any issue, as this report is presented as a summary of citizen testimony. As New Hampshire’s Virtual Town Hall, the LFDA community, numbering more than 77,000, provides objective information on state issues, promotes the civil exchange of opinions, and communicates views to elected officials. To learn more about this issue or the LFDA, visit www.lfda.org.
Jacquelyn Benson is an editor with the Live Free or Die Alliance.
In the wake of a study showing that average debt for students graduating from NH colleges was the largest in the country, the LFDA decided to put the issue to Facebook members, asking, “Should NH take action to alleviate student debt?”
A total of 81% of respondents answered the question directly or with a concurrence, and of these a 71% majority opposed taking action relating to student debt relief, with 29% in favor. Of the remaining respondents, 18% opted to discuss the subject in broader terms while 1% commented on unrelated issues. In sum, 234 citizens participated in the discussion with a total of 601 responses.
Opponents of government action to relieve student debt argued that student loans were a matter of personal responsibility. “Don’t expect someone else to pick up any of your tab,” one commenter wrote. “These people have to make educated decisions and be held accountable for their choices,” another wrote. “I think students should take the initiative to deal with their own debt,” a respondent said.
Supporters countered with statements on the greater benefits of keeping education affordable for young people. “NH should cap student debt based on a projected percentage of earnings upon graduation,” one suggested. “Tuitions have gone way up. It’s not like it was before,” another respondent pointed out. “Nobody here is talking about a free ride. Just a fair one,” a citizen argued.
Those opting not to give a yes or no response to the question discussed broader issues related to student debt and education. “I advocate taking government out of the loan business altogether,” one respondent suggested. “NH needs to create a great workforce pool to retain the graduates,” another argued.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan LFDA takes no position on this or any issue, as this report is presented as a summary of citizen testimony. As New Hampshire’s Virtual Town Hall, the LFDA community, numbering more than 77,000, provides objective information on state issues, promotes the civil exchange of opinions, and communicates views to elected officials. To learn more about this issue or the LFDA, visit www.lfda.org.
Jacquelyn Benson is an editor with the Live Free or Die Alliance.
Live Free or Die Alliance
www.livefreeordiealliance.org
Source: http://townhall.livefreeordiealliance.org/xn/detail/4091641:BlogPost:74691
