Student loan defaults increasing in Idaho

Federal officials say the percentage of Idaho students attending public four-year universities who are defaulting on their student loans is increasing.

But the U.S. Department of Education also says Idaho’s rate of 13.1 percent is below the national average of 13.7 percent.

However, the national rate has been declining while the Idaho rate is on the rise.
College officials tell the Idaho Statesman that rising college costs, low Idaho wages and students borrowing too much could be contributing to the increase in default rates in Idaho.

The report released last week says Idaho State University is above the national average with a default rate of 15 percent.
Boise State University is at 11.4 percent, and the University of Idaho is at 8.3 percent.