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Default: The Student Loan Documentary

26 minutes 51 seconds

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Financing college is a challenge many students face. Follow the stories of borrowers from different backgrounds affected by the student lending industry. No matter when their loans were taken, many borrowers find themselves in a paralyzing predicament of repaying two, three, or multiple times the original amount borrowed. Currently borrowers have no bankruptcy protection, no cap on fees and penalties, and no recourse to law after graduating from college. The consequences are dire for students who are unable to repay their loans.

Media Details

Runtime: 26 minutes 51 seconds

Topic: Business, Education
Subtopic: Economics, Finance and Banking, General Education
Grade/Interest Level: 10 - 12
Standards:

Release Year: 2012
Producer/Distributor: Media Education Foundation
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Black and white portrait of Thomas Jefferson. Caption. Among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Woman and man, seated and smiling in front of a white columned monument. Caption. Cows. Sheep?

Still image from: Advanced Placement Human Geography: Making Sense of Planet Earth--Industrialization and Economic Development

Stacked shipping containers, 1 colorfully painted with scenes in foreground. Caption. Chile is a stunning example of what can happen.

Man seated on a stool in a classroom motions across his chest with pointed left index finger while children watch. Sound of bell ringing.

2 teenage boys wearing denim jeans and t-shirts frown and look at money in their hands. Caption. If you exchange to U, S dollars.

Black and white photo of a World War 1 battle ship surrounded by crowds of people and soldiers on deck. Caption. The country went to war in 1917, singing.

2 women standing in a kitchen; 1 holds a telephone, the other has a coffee maker. Caption. Each saw the trade as a benefit to themselves.

Closeup of rice blades, some flowering. Caption. Rice is easily the most important crop.