Elizabeth Tandy Shermer, an associate professor of history, and Josh Mitchell, a Wall Street Journal reporter, dive into the historical evolution of student loans and the staggering $1.7 trillion debt burden. They discuss the post-WWII GI Bill as a double-edged sword, democratizing education yet excluding marginalized groups. The rise of Sallie Mae and its impact on student financing reveals an exploitative relationship with banks, while the late 20th century experience highlights growing inequality in access to higher education.
