Brendan Coughlin
Former President of Education Finance
Citizens Financial Group
To me, it’s not about whether you have “zero debt” after graduating college but whether your loans are manageable and if the investment was worth it. Parents and students should consider how much they can afford for college and how much debt—if any—they are willing to take on considering what college to attend and what their career aspirations are after graduation. “Can I afford this payment with the job I want?” is a critical question students should ask themselves before enrolling at a school and taking on a loan. College is a major investment, and banks like Citizens are committed to making higher education more affordable for students and their families. Some customers choose to begin repaying their loans immediately so they can stay ahead of them and owe less when they graduate, which is always a good strategy to curb interest.
Still not sure you can afford to go to college? Check out Our Best Advice to Help You Pay for a College Education to make your dream a reality.