Jillian Berman

Millions of student-loan borrowers have no idea how much they’re supposed to pay Balances increasing, forgiveness paused — the “level of confusion is just crazy.”

"I feel very powerless in this situation, which is a shame because I followed everything" and "It’s just a battle between presidents" -- these are 2 sentiments that sum up a lot of what I've been hearing from student loan borrowers over the past few years. www.marketwatch.com/story/millio...

Student-loan interest restarts today for millions. This is what you can do. Borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan will see their balances start to tick up

Student loan interest rates are starting for millions today + they're sorting through their options amid a lot of challenges in the system. As one told me "I just feel really stuck." www.marketwatch.com/story/studen...

Thanks to ex-ED undersecretary James Kvaal and @washingtonmonthly.com for this insightful discussion of my book, Sunk Cost! I particularly appreciate the comments on my approach to the stories of borrowers who so generously shared their time with me. washingtonmonthly.com/2025/06/18/s...

The House version of the megabill is proposing major curbs to federal student lending + private lenders are 'very happy to step in for the government.' At a recent student loan industry conference it was a big topic of discussion. marketwatch.com/story/republ...

Thanks for reading and sharing @dcollier74.bsky.social! bsky.app/profile/dcol...

Were I in the DC area you would find me here. Book events at public libraries are a special thing. And opportunity to hear from a journalist with extensive experience reporting on student loans.

DC-area! I'll be talking about student debt tonight at the Shepherd Park library. Excited to share insights from my book SUNK COST at a local public library! Details here:

Excited to see you there! If you're in Philly and interested in learning more about our student loan system, come by Making Worlds this Friday! bsky.app/profile/bake...

Student-loan borrowers in default could see Social Security benefits cut to $750 The Trump administration is reversing a Biden-era policy that would have protected a larger portion of monthly checks for some defaulted student-loan borrowers

Before leaving office the Biden admin quietly announced it took steps to protect more of borrowers' Social Security benefits from being taken over a defaulted student loan. Now, as debt collection resumes, the Trump admin is reversing the policy. www.marketwatch.com/story/studen...

Student-Loan Debt Collectors Are Coming for Your Paycheck Forced collections on student loans in default start next week. Some borrowers might be in for a nasty surprise.

I spoke with @thecut.com about the challenges some student loan borrowers are facing right now and their options for dealing with them: www.thecut.com/article/stud...

Excited for this tonight! bsky.app/profile/peop...

If you’d like to hear more about the book and student debt more broadly, I’ll be at the Corner Bookstore in NYC on April 15 and @peoplesbooktakoma.com in Takoma Park, MD on April 16.

She thought student loans would support her dreams. Now they’re a ‘nightmare.’ A new book explains the $1.6 trillion student-loan crisis

I’m extraordinarily grateful to everyone who lent their voices and time to me in the reporting of this book and I’m so excited to have it out in the world. Read more about one of the borrowers featured in Sunk Cost here. www.marketwatch.com/story/she-th...

Sunk Cost Exposes the forgotten origins of the student loan system, how politicians have attempted to fix it, and the life-altering damage borrowers face.   Student-loan horror stories are a dime a dozen. But s...

Today is pub day for SUNK COST, my book on the student debt crisis! It chronicles how a policy aimed at helping low- and middle-income Americans afford college became one of the biggest consumer finance challenges of our time. Order it here! press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...

Excited to be at my neighborhood bookstore, People’s Book, on April 16 talking about SUNK COST. bsky.app/profile/peop...

With millions of borrowers behind on student loan payments + applications for affordable repayment plans unavailable, the Trump admin is looking to slash customer service as part of its bid for efficiency. www.marketwatch.com/story/studen...

My First Byline: Jillian Berman Deputy Enterprise Editor, MarketWatch

Had fun answering some questions for @ryanbeckwith.bsky.social's newsletter! yourfirstbyline.substack.com/p/my-first-b...

From Medicaid to student loans, scope of Trump budget gambit leaves Americans scrambling Move to halt federal grant funding will create a “constitutional crisis,” a top Senate Democrat said.

“There’s not an articulation of exactly what is likely to return and what might continue to be frozen, and that’s just a very difficult place for any organization to operate, much less every aspect of American society.” www.marketwatch.com/story/from-m...

Sunk Cost Exposes the forgotten origins of the student loan system, how politicians have attempted to fix it, and the life-altering damage borrowers face.   Student-loan horror stories are a dime a dozen. But s...

My book Sunk Cost is coming in April! It exposes the forgotten origins of the student loan system, how politicians have tried to fix it, and the life-altering damage borrowers face. Pre-order here! press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...

Pumped for this! bsky.app/profile/dali...

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A stolen $97,000 check, a bureaucratic nightmare — and an unlikely happy ending Todd Kahler was on the verge of homelessness after his Social Security disability-benefit check was stolen from the mail. He got the money back, but it took tenacity and some outside help.

He fought for years to win the disability benefits he was eligible for + a judge agreed the government owed him $97,000 in backpay. Then the check was stolen from the mail, putting him at risk of homelessness. www.marketwatch.com/story/a-stol...

Their student loans should have been canceled already. What happens under Trump? Pressure is building on the Biden administration to process promised student-loan cancellations in its waning days.

Trying this out! I'm reporter/editor with an expertise in student debt, sharing my latest: Tens of thousands of student loan borrowers were promised relief, they're still waiting and their worried about what the Trump admin will mean for the future of their loans. www.marketwatch.com/story/their-...