In this report, La Follette students examine how Wisconsin can strengthen support for student loan borrowers by drawing on borrower assistance systems in peer states.
Summary
This report, prepared for the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt (DebtSmarts), examines how Wisconsin can strengthen support for student loan borrowers by drawing on borrower assistance systems in peer states. Using publicly available data, it maps the geographic and demographic concentrations of repayment distress across Wisconsin to identify the most affected populations and communities. It then draws on practitioner interviews conducted in Minnesota, New York, Kentucky, and Ohio to analyze how each state structures direct borrower services and what drives key differences in their approaches. Finally, it offers practical recommendations that DebtSmarts and similar organizations can act on to expand their visibility, deepen their reach, and increase their impact across the state.
Information
- Course: Workshop in Public Affairs, PA 869, taught by Manny Teodoro, Spring 2026
- Authors: Mufan Chen, Shah Fahad, Rachel Rogers, and Graham Stier
- Client: The Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt