Student loan debt

A new study reports that student debt in this country could be the next “debt bomb," a major economic threat not unlike the mortgage crisis. And this time, there’s no way to get rid of the debt through bankruptcy.

As the cost of an education rises and students borrow to cover the costs, lenders worry about recouping funds.

The countdown begins in Washington to come up with a budget before midnight tomorrow, and one place cuts could come from are federal student loan programs.

President Obama meets at the White House today with a small group of university and college presidents on how to reduce the cost of higher education. But the answers might have to come from the schools themselves.

I have a student loan that is on an extended payment plan with a variable rate that is tied to prime. Currently, the rate is 2.11%. I have money available that I could put toward the loan, but at this interest rate, it seems advisable to invest the money. However, at some point down the road when the rates go back up, I may wish that I had paid off the loan early. Do you have any advice as to the best approach for paying off such a variable rate loan? Wendell, Rochester, NY

College tuition bills will soon start showing up for next semester and they'll be enough to get the pulse racing. The College Board said today tu...