Notes in the Margins: Credit cards, credit fears and a revived Dream Act

Student Credit Card Use Could Cause Problems Later Students appear to be experienced in using credit. In 2009, Sallie Mae reported that 92 percent of undergraduates charged direct costs for education like tuition and textbooks. Students appear also to be experienced in building debt. The same report shows close to 20 percent of seniors carrying credit card balances greater than $7,000. Added to $24,000 in educational loans, graduates on average owe close to $30,000 in debt. (U.S. News & World Report)

Banned From Graduation Over Facebook Post Roman Caple probably never thought a Facebook post would prevent him from walking at his graduation from St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, N.C. (The Huffington Post)

Ga. college student a reluctant immigration symbol Jessica Colotl has always tried to keep a low profile -- obeying the speed limit, making sure her lights work properly -- knowing that a brush with law enforcement could lead to her deportation and cost her a college diploma. (Associated Press via The Boston Globe)

Senate Dems Renew Push For DREAM Act Democrats re-introduced the DREAM Act on Wednesday, on the heels of a Tuesday speech by President Obama calling for paths to legalization for some of the nation's estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants. The DREAM Act is seen by many as the ideal immigration reform bill: It would allow undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as children, committed no crimes and want to attend college or join the military to remain in the country legally. (The Huffington Post)

Are Young People Too Afraid of Student Loans? The authors of Not Quite Adults: Why 20-Somethings Are Choosing a Slower Path to Adulthood, and Why It's Good for Everyone make what sounds like an crazy argument: Young people are too afraid to borrow for college. And when you dig a little deeper into it, you realize that it actually is crazy. (Daily Finance)

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