Students owing $100000 in HELP debt rises 500pc as budget cuts loom – The Australian Financial Review

The number of student loan debtors owing over $100,000 under the federal government’s Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is over five times higher than five years ago, according to the latest official figures. Taxation statistics released this month reveal a rapid escalation of student debt; nearly 11,000 people owe the government over $100,000 in 2015-16, up from…

In a bid to ease student debt, California considers a role in helping refinance private loans – Los Angeles Times

State treasurer and gubernatorial hopeful John Chiang is wading into the increasingly high-profile debate over college affordability with a new push for California to play a role in alleviating the burden of high-interest private student loans. Chiang is sponsoring legislation that would create a $25-million fund that would offer a degree of protection to student…

How paying off HECS-HELP has become even less attractive – The Sydney Morning Herald

Financial advisers warn low inflation combined with the government’s move to strip incentives for voluntary repayment means borrowers will be even less inclined to proactively repay student debt.   The federal government is bracing for the HECS-HELP program to blow out by 560 per cent over the next decade. Second year ANU student Julia Beard has concerns about the…

How paying off HECS-HELP has become even less attractive – The Canberra Times

Financial advisers warn low inflation combined with the government’s move to strip incentives for voluntary repayment means borrowers will be even less inclined to proactively repay student debt.   The federal government is bracing for the HECS-HELP program to blow out by 560 per cent over the next decade. Second year ANU student Julia Beard has concerns about the…

US will keep ‘open mind’ on any IMF aid to Greece: Treasury official – Yahoo7 News

The US government will keep an “open mind” on any new loan package from the International Monetary Fund for debt-burdened Greece, a senior US Treasury official said Thursday. Despite criticism of international organizations by the Trump administration, the comments allay concerns that US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin could veto any large new aid package for…