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FAMU works to address high student debt

FAMU works to address high student debt
FAMU works to address high student debt
Posted at 4:28 PM, Sep 18, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-18 14:50:30-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - As college students return to campus today in the Capital City, one report shows Florida A&M University has some of the state's highest student debt.

Officials say, they've been working with students to find ways to ease the financial burden before they graduate.

One study found 86 percent of graduating students last year had some form of debt but that's actually 2 percentage points lower than 2015.

"We have definitely been a lot more proactive about it. Our students, we're definitely taking a different stance," said David Evans, a student debt counselor. "They're looking at things differently. They know which loans to look at taking, which ones not to take -- and they understand why, which has been a really big part of that cultural change."

FAMU is using an online program powered by "American Student Assistance" to help students navigate their finances.

The university also has a peer-to-peer program to encourage Rattlers to start planning now.