A record 7.7 million federal student loan borrowers had defaulted on $181 billion in loans by the end of 2025, and at least 3 million more borrowers are three months behind in payments, according to Education Department data.
It is the highest combined delinquency and default rate since the government began tracking the data nearly 10 years ago.
The crisis reflects broader financial strain on households struggling with rising costs for food, housing and medical care. Delinquencies are also climbing on credit cards, mortgages and auto loans.
Wait. You mean you have to pay those back? I’m loving how the borrowers are shrieking about “Predatory Loan Practices”.
Time to suck it up buttercups. You’ll be paying it all back, one way or another.