Report: Repayment of Student Loans as of 2015 Among 1995–96 and 2003–04 First-Time Beginning Students

This first look report presents selected findings about the repayment of federal student loans using data from two NCES longitudinal studies, which contain information on student loan borrowing, Pell grant receipt, repayment, and default. Twenty years after beginning postsecondary education in 1995–96, approximately 38% of borrowers had fully paid off their loans without defaulting, while 25% had defaulted on at least one loan. Twelve years after beginning postsecondary education 2003-04, 20% of borrowers had fully paid off their loans without defaulting, while 27% had defaulted on at least one loan.