Trigger warning: This article discusses themes of sexual violence. Be sure to prioritize your own mental health when reading.
After pressure from millions of students nationwide, President Biden announced in September that he would be canceling $10,000 in student loan debt for Americans who make under $125,000 and $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. Americans are currently being held back by more than $1.6 trillion in student debt–– this plan should eventually provide relief to about 43 million borrowers and fully remove balances for 45% of those borrowers.
However, student loan debt is not unilateral. Intersections with race, ability, gender, and socioeconomic status present unique challenges that result in an increased burden of student loan debt. Something many people do not think about when addressing student loans is the monumental effect that experiencing sexual assault has on debt.
Studies show that about 1 in 5 women are sexually assaulted in college. Studies also reveal that sexual assault results in higher dropout rates and impacted survivors’ GPAs significantly. Women hold about two thirds of student loan debt, but these numbers do not tell the whole story. There is so much more. Thanks to the hard work of the Sexual Assault Prevention Association, we can hear some of those stories. This 501(c)(3) non-profit created a survey for survivors of rape and sexual assault to share their experiences with student loans. Here is what they said:
- “I almost failed and had to take extra courses to graduate on time… At my college that is basically like taking another semester so my loans are a lot higher because of it.”
- “I had to drop out to protect my mental health. I want to go back so I can graduate and get a desk job but I don’t make enough money. I’m stuck waitressing because I had to go back to serving.
- “I started failing my classes and I didn’t know why. I didn’t realize it was sexual assault. I just thought I was too drunk and didn’t remember it right. My friend made me see a therapist and I started doing better. I was able to recover most of my grades except for one which I had to make up the next semester so I was overloaded. My scholarship and aid package didn’t cover overloads but no one explained that to me so now my loans are higher by a couple thousand.”
- “My only option was to drop out. I couldn’t stay there and [university] didn’t help me at all. Now I have all these loans for a degree I didn’t even get.”
A poll from Morning Consult and Politico found that 62% of voters are in favor of some student debt cancellation and 19% believe all student debt should be canceled. When survivors were asked how student loan debt cancellation would affect them, this is what they said:
- “I would be elated. I would be able to save up to buy a house or for retirement. It would change my whole life.”
- “I would feel so much better. I hate paying loans to [university]. I know so many other students that were assaulted there. They don’t deserve our money.”
- “I could actually pay my bills. I could afford therapy.”
- “I could save for retirement and emergencies. Also, I could help my family financially.”
These stories speak for themselves. Student loan forgiveness is not just a political issue up for debate, it is life changing.
If sexual assault affected your student loans, you can share your story here.
UA Resources:
- WGRC phone number: call (205) 348-5040 from 8am-5pm whenever the University is open.
- You can also call UAPD at (205) 348-5454 and ask to speak to a WGRC victim advocate who is on call 24/7, even on weekends and holidays.
- SAFE Center phone number: (205) 860-7233
Other Resources:
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- Or chat live at www.online.rainn.org