Latest news with #AnnaleiseLohr
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Families Report Spending More, But Also Missing Out on Opportunities to Make College More Affordable According to ‘How America Pays for College 2025'
NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Families reported spending an average of $30,837 on college during the 2024–25 academic year—up 9% from $28,409 last year and a return to pre-pandemic spending levels, according to 'How America Pays for College 2025,' the annual study by Sallie Mae and Ipsos. Family income and savings covered nearly half of costs (48%), followed by scholarships and grants (27%), borrowing (23%), and contributions from family or friends (2%). Families See Value in College and Remain Focused on Cost Nearly nine in 10 (89%) families said college is a worthwhile investment, and 82% are willing to stretch their finances to ensure the best opportunities for their students. Eight in 10 families (79%) reported eliminating a school based on cost, but nearly half (47%) of all families also reported paying less than the sticker price for college. Families most often cited proximity to home (40%), affordability (39%), and specific academic program (39%) as reasons for choosing a school. While 59% of families created a plan to pay for college before enrolling, just 38% considered starting salaries after graduation. 'While families continue to see college as a valuable long-term investment, they also remain cost-conscious,' said Annaleise Lohr, vice president, Ipsos. 'It's encouraging to see families are taking the time to plan for this significant investment but coupling that financial focus with expected post-college outcomes could lead to even more informed decisions.' Misconceptions Around FAFSA and Scholarships Could Be Costing Families Roughly two-thirds of families (64%) found the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) easier to complete, but overall completion rates dropped to 71% from 74% the year prior. In addition, just 21% of families knew the FAFSA is available beginning in October. That could mean families are missing out on financial aid that is limited or available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, 40% of families did not utilize scholarships to pay for college due to lack of awareness (34%) and the belief they wouldn't win (28%). Access to Loans Leads Some Families to Reach for Higher-Priced Schools Nearly half of families (48%) borrowed to help pay for college, consistent with prior years, and 72% of all families said they would rather borrow than miss out on attending. Roughly six in 10 families (59%) said the availability of federal student loans has driven up college costs, and 35% of those who borrowed said access to loans led them to consider more expensive schools. In addition, 42% of families with federal student loans expect their loans to be forgiven. 'Students and families navigating higher education today need greater transparency when it comes to the actual cost of college so they can make the most informed decisions about this significant investment,' said Rick Castellano, vice president, Sallie Mae. 'We also need to continue to promote FAFSA completion and reinforce the availability of scholarships, so families don't inadvertently leave free money on the table.' Free tools like Scholly Scholarships by Sallie and Scout College Search by Sallie help families plan smarter by finding thousands of scholarships and comparing schools based on majors, location, cost, and more—no registration required. In addition, the company offers responsible private student loans to cover any remaining financing gaps. "How America Pays for College 2025" reports the results of Ipsos' online interviews of 1,000 undergraduate students and 1,000 parents of undergraduate students between April 8 and May 8, 2025. Explore the full report and discover insights, trends, and free planning tools at Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) believes education and life-long learning, in all forms, help people achieve great things. As the leader in private student lending, we provide financing and know-how to support access to college and offer products and resources to help customers make new goals and experiences, beyond college, happen. Learn more at Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America. Category: Research
Business Wire
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
New Sallie Mae and Ipsos Study ‘How America Succeeds After College 2025' Finds 90% of Recent Grads Had A Positive College Experience
NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nine in 10 recent college graduates say they had a positive college experience, and 84% maintain a positive outlook on their lives overall, according to the newly released national study, 'How America Succeeds After College 2025,' by Sallie Mae and Ipsos. The study reveals 82% of recent graduates are employed, with 74% working in a field related to their degree. Just 14% of recent graduates say they feel unsuccessful after college. In addition, of the 47% of recent graduates who borrowed to help pay for school, 75% say they are confident in their ability to repay their student loans. Nearly half of recent graduates (48%) say they follow a budget and, 94%, are pursuing at least one near-term financial goal including saving for retirement (47%), saving for a major purchase (44%), or building an emergency fund (37%). 'Despite attending college and graduating during a pandemic, recent graduates were able to land jobs and are generally optimistic about their future,' said Annaleise Lohr, director, Ipsos. 'The research highlights the resilience of this generation as they navigate the college-to-career transition and the clear connection between intentional planning—both academic and financial—and strong outcomes after college.' The study offers additional insights and factors driving recent graduates' sense of success after college: Recent graduates view success as achieving a balance between life and career. Financial health is the top indicator of success, cited by 46% of graduates, followed by mental health (36%) and career prospects (30%). While 70% of recent college graduates rate their mental health positively, it is also one of the top areas they want to improve (40%). Planning ahead for higher education pays off. Seventy-five percent of recent graduates who developed a plan for how to pay for all years of college before enrolling report they feel successful, compared to 54% of non-planners. Tapping career resources on campus can be a game-changer but not many students utilize them. Just 37% of recent graduates used their school's career resources. However, of those who did, 82% secured a first job in their field of study. Overall, 64% of recent graduates regret not taking full advantage of the college experience and resources. Most recent graduates worked while in school. Eight in 10 (83%) recent graduates worked in some capacity during their college career. Nearly half (47%) held an off-campus job, 31% worked on campus, and 29% had an internship. Graduates who had an internship while in college were more likely to be employed in their field of study and feel very successful after graduation. 'This report confirms higher education continues to deliver for recent graduates,' said Rick Castellano, vice president, Sallie Mae. 'That said, students also need support in building a successful launch plan for life after college. That includes talking about finances early and often, using career resources and seeking out internships, and building smart financial habits along the way.' Sallie Mae provides free tools and resources to help families plan for college including its free scholarship search tool, Scholly Scholarships, which connects students to thousands of scholarships —no registration required. Additionally, families can explore college options by major, location, cost, and more using Scout College Search. 'How America Succeeds After College 2025' reports the results of Ipsos' online interviews of 1,045 young adults who graduated college with an undergraduate degree between 2019 and 2024. For more information or to access the complete 'How America Succeeds After College 2025' report, visit Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) believes education and life-long learning, in all forms, help people achieve great things. As the leader in private student lending, we provide financing and know-how to support access to college and offer products and resources to help customers make new goals and experiences, beyond college, happen. Learn more at Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America. Ipsos is a global independent market research company ranking third worldwide among research firms. At Ipsos, we are passionately curious about people, markets, brands, and society. We make our changing world easier and faster to navigate and inspire clients to make smarter decisions. We deliver research with security, speed, simplicity, and substance. We believe it's time to change the game — it's time for Game Changers! Visit to learn more. Category: Research
