Failing Grade: America's Growing Struggle With Student Loans

College debt has become a $1.4 trillion burden, one that calls for tough choices. [View in Browser]( [Mark Hamrick]( [MARK HAMRICK]( [Twitter]( [@hamrickisms]( [POWER UP!]( [The heavy toll of student loan debt]( Americans don't do enough homework about college costs and how to cover them. The result is $1.4 trillion in student loan debt, the fastest-growing type of household debt. It now accounts for about a third of non-housing-related debt. Some 13 percent of U.S. consumers have one or more student loans on their credit file, with average total debt of more than $34,000 per person, according to a recent report. And there are many more grim statistics where those came from, raising tough questions for families. [Tell Me More]( [The power of a personal loan. Easily consolidate debt into one low, monthly payment]( [The power of a personal loan. Easily consolidate debt into one low, monthly payment]( [6 reasons to love Roth IRAs]( 6 reasons to love Roth IRAs Learn what fans of Roth IRAs already know: The rewards can span generations. [Read More]( [Bad credit? No credit? Try a secured credit card]( Bad credit? No credit? Try a secured credit card This little-known option can help you build a strong credit history. [Read More]( [7 simple ways to improve your credit score]( [7 simple ways to improve your credit score]( Compare Credit Cards [Cash Back] [Cash Back]( [>]( [Rewards Cards] [Rewards Cards]( [>]( [Airline Cards] [Airline Cards]( [>]( [Gas Cards] [Gas Cards]( [>]( [0% APR Cards] [0% APR Cards]( [>]( [Balance Transfer Cards] [Balance Transfer]( [>]( [Business Cards] [Business Cards]( [>]( [Get your absolutely free credit score at MyBankrate.]( [Get your absolutely free credit score at MyBankrate.]( Latest News [Rent too darn high for you to save for a home? The Fed has a plan]( The central bank has an idea for a no-down-payment home loan targeting renters. [Can I fire my real estate agent without paying him?]( It's not easy to dismiss a real estate agent. Here are some ways to go about it. [6 huge Social Security traps that can cost you]( Social Security can be tricky. Follow these tips so you won't lose out on benefits. Get more stories like these sent to you every weekday. [Subscribe to Bankrate Daily](. [The Cashlorette. Find out how to live your best life for less.]( [The Cashlorette. Find out how to live your best life for less.]( Not sure what something means? Or you've always been curious but never looked it up? Find definitions in Bankrate's [Glossary of Personal Finance Terms](. You received this newsletter at {EMAIL} because you are subscribed at Bankrate. You may unsubscribe from this email [here]( or manage your subscriptions [here](. Please do not reply to this email as we are unable to respond to messages sent to this address.If you have feedback or financial questions, please join our [Money Masters Group]( on Facebook or connect with us via [@Bankrate on Twitter](. Connect with Us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [About Us]( [Privacy Policy]( [Contact Us]( [Newsletters]( [Bankrate(R)]( © 2017 Bankrate, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Bankrate, LLC • 3801 PGA Boulevard, Suite 555 • Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410