Debt in Texas: Understanding the Impact of Student Loan Debt

This three-part virtual event series explored trends in postsecondary affordability and student loans, as well as solutions to college debt challenges in Texas.

1. The Past: How We Got Here
   Thursday, Sept. 24 · 10–11:30 a.m.

   A look at the historical inequities in postsecondary education policy, as well as state policy decisions that contributed to the present-day student debt crisis in Texas. View the recording.

   10 a.m.	Welcome and Opening Remarks
   	Alfreda B. Norman, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
   10:10 a.m.	Mini Talk: Debt in Texas Overview
   	Alfreda B. Norman Julie Eklund, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (presentation)
   10:25 a.m.	Students’ Lived Experiences with Debt
   	Simon Marquez, Young Invincibles
   10:30 a.m.	Panel Session
   	Charles Contero-Puls, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Denisa Gandara, Southern Methodist University Jenny Achilles, Trellis Foundation Moderator: Ashley Williams, Every Texan
   11:20 a.m.	Student Perspective
   	Simon Marquez
   11:25 a.m.	Closing Remarks
   	Karen Murrell, Asset Funders Network

   Recommended reading:

   • Degrees of Debt: College Students Left to Fend for Themselves as State Support Declines
   • When Average Is Not Enough: A Case Study Examining the Variation in the Influences on Undergraduate Debt Burden

2. The Present: Where We Are Today
   Tuesday, Sept. 29 · 10–11:30 a.m.

   An interactive discussion about the racial disparities in student loan debt and borrower outcomes. View the recording.

   10 a.m.	Welcome and Session Overview
   	Wende Burton, Communities Foundation of Texas
   10:05 a.m.	Introduction
   	Adam Ordaz, Young Invincibles
   10:15 a.m.	Mini Talk: Exploring The Unseen in Student Debt
   	Aurora Harris, Young Invincibles
   10:20 a.m.	Student Debt Iceberg Model Patterns of Behavior Structures of the System Mental Models
   	Kiran Sidhu, Center for Responsible Lending Cat Goughnour, Prosperity Now Pedro Lira, Jolt Texas
   11:20 a.m.	Q&A and Remarks
   	Don Baylor, Annie E. Casey Foundation
   11:25 a.m.	Closing Remarks
   	Don Baylor

   Recommended reading:

   • Supporting Texas Young Adults During Crisis and Beyond
   • Quicksand: Borrowers of Color & the Student Debt Crisis
   • Communicating on Race and Racial Economic Equity
   • Addressing Debt in Black Communities
   • Exploring Racial Economic Equity in Policy and Advocacy
   • Lose the Loans: 2019 Overview of the Student Debt Crisis in Texas

3. The Future: Where We Want to Go
   Thursday, Oct. 1 · 9–10:30 a.m.

   An exchange of ideas and strategies gaining traction to address student debt and college affordability. View the recording.

   9 a.m.	Welcome and Opening Remarks
   	Roy C. Lopez, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
   9:06 a.m.	Panel 1: Reducing Existing Student Debt
   	Raquan Wedderburn, Aspen Institute Financial Security Program Katherine Welbeck, Student Borrower Protection Center Moderator: Yvette Ruiz, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
   9:45 a.m.	Panel 2: College Affordability
   	Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Amarillo College Dr. Chris Dowdy, Paul Quinn College Moderator: Todd Penner, Dell Foundation
   10:25 a.m.	Closing Remarks
   	Annika Little, Asset Funders Network

   Recommended reading:

   • How States Can Solve the Student Debt Crisis: A Framework for Reducing Student Debt Burdens for Present and Future Borrowers
   • Forgiving Small Student Debts Can Have a Huge Impact

The Debt in Texas series will include future sessions on other topics. In addition to the student debt sessions above, we hope you’ll join us at these other events. Stay tuned for registration.

Debt in Texas: The Unintended Consequences of Government Fines and Fees

• Dec. 2-3, 2020

Debt in Texas: Understanding the Impact of Medical Debt

• Feb. 18, 23 and 25, 2021

This series is made possible by support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Communities Foundation of Texas, JPMorgan Chase & Co., the Texas Women’s Foundation and Charles Schwab Bank. Thank you to contributing partners Every Texan, Texas Appleseed, Texas Fair Defense Project and Young Invincibles.