The News-Courier in Athens, Alabama

Local News

September 20, 2008

ASU student loan defaults among lowest in nation

Once again, Athens State University students fare better than the national average on student loan repayments, according to recent U.S. Department of Education figures.

Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education, recently announced that according to the last fiscal year’s figures, the national student loan cohort default rate remains historically low at 5.2 percent.

But according to Athens State University’s Director of Financial Aid Sarah McAbee, the default rate for Athens State’s graduates was even less than half of the nation’s low percentage at 2.5 percent.

“Our alumni historically seem to be good credit risks for these federal loans,” McAbee said. “An affordable tuition, the maturity of our students, and the university’s commitment to assure a manageable debt upon graduation are all strong factors in the low default rate. I am always impressed in the manner in which our former students have fulfilled their financial responsibilities.”

To decrease the amount of debt incurred by their graduates, Athens State’s Office of Financial Aid identifies federal, state, institutional and outside funding sources available to students, including both grant and loan programs.

In addition, Athens State awards approximately 60 scholarships annually with the Athens State University Foundation and the University’s Alumni Association providing more than 100 scholarships awarded each year.

Text Only
Local News
Poll

Will your family take a summer vacation this year?

Yes
No
     View Results
Echoes from the Titanic
AP Video
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin 6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40 On Thailand Trip, Suu Kyi Visits Migrants Raw Video: Pink Diamond Auctioned for $17.4M Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report 15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108 Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Stocks
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Business Marquee
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com