<p>“while one in eight didn’t realize they had debt”</p>
<p>This does not surprise me in the least. When DS started at USC, we had him take out a small student loan[ 2500 unsecured, the max allowed] , just so he would have some “skin in the game”[ the rest was covered by a scholarship and $ he earned in the summer]. He was 17 when he started college and did NOT understand, and therefore pay attention to, the gobbledygook loan forms that he was required to sign during orientation week. 4 years later, he had his “what do you mean I owe $?” moment. Fortunately he had been awarded a large award upon graduation, and chose to pay off the loan. I feel sorry for the kids that HAVE to borrow $$ to go to college.</p>