What's in a Debt Letter? A Content and Linguistic Analysis of Student Loan Debt Letters

Autor/inn/en	Taylor, Z. W.; Weber, Karla; Holthaus, Gretchen
Titel	What's in a Debt Letter? A Content and Linguistic Analysis of Student Loan Debt Letters
Quelle	In: Higher Education Politics & Economics, 7 (2021) 1, S.34-55 (22 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2577-7270
Schlagwörter	Debt (Financial); Content Analysis; Structural Analysis (Linguistics); Student Loan Programs; Letters (Correspondence); College Students; Jargon; Readability; Indiana; Montana; Missouri + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Inhaltsanalyse; Structural analysis; Strukturanalyse; Brief; Collegestudent; Lesbarkeit
Abstract	Since 2012, many Title IV institutions of higher education have sent their students debt letters to inform them of their outstanding loan amounts, estimated or real monthly payments, and other loan-related information. However, no extant research has analyzed whether these letters are written at an appropriate level for college students, nor has research articulated what complex jargon is used in these letters (e.g., "subsidized," "consolidated") and what content is contained in these letters (e.g., interest rates, loan types). Subsequently, this study analyzes a sample of 24 letters gathered from institutions of higher education across the country to fill these research gaps. Results suggest most debt letters are not comprehensible by the average first-or second-year college student, jargon differs between sectors (e.g., public, private), and debt letters share many common elements, such as aggregate loan totals and interest rates, but many do not include contact information or any multimedia, even though letters were written to be delivered digitally. Implications for research, practice, and financial aid communication are addressed. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Higher Education Politics & Economics. 2309 Education Building, Norfolk, VA 23529. Tel: 757-683-4118; e-mail: hepe@odu.edu; Web site: http://ojed.org/index.php/hepe/index
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01