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What's in a Debt Letter? A Content and Linguistic Analysis of Student Loan Debt Letters

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Title: What's in a Debt Letter? A Content and Linguistic Analysis of Student Loan Debt Letters
Language: English
Authors: Taylor, Z. W., Weber, Karla, Holthaus, Gretchen
Source: Higher Education Politics & Economics. 2021 7(1):34-55.
Availability: Higher Education Politics & Economics. 2309 Education Building, Norfolk, VA 23529. Tel: 757-683-4118; e-mail: hepe@odu.edu; Web site: http://ojed.org/index.php/hepe/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Debt (Financial), Content Analysis, Structural Analysis (Linguistics), Student Loan Programs, Letters (Correspondence), College Students, Jargon, Readability
Geographic Terms: Indiana, Montana, Missouri
ISSN: 2577-7270
Abstract: Since 2012, many Title IV institutions of higher education have sent their students debt letters to inform them of their outstanding loan amounts, estimated or real monthly payments, and other loan-related information. However, no extant research has analyzed whether these letters are written at an appropriate level for college students, nor has research articulated what complex jargon is used in these letters (e.g., "subsidized," "consolidated") and what content is contained in these letters (e.g., interest rates, loan types). Subsequently, this study analyzes a sample of 24 letters gathered from institutions of higher education across the country to fill these research gaps. Results suggest most debt letters are not comprehensible by the average first-or second-year college student, jargon differs between sectors (e.g., public, private), and debt letters share many common elements, such as aggregate loan totals and interest rates, but many do not include contact information or any multimedia, even though letters were written to be delivered digitally. Implications for research, practice, and financial aid communication are addressed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1337546
Database: ERIC
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  Data: What's in a Debt Letter? A Content and Linguistic Analysis of Student Loan Debt Letters
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Higher+Education+Politics+%26+Economics%22"><i>Higher Education Politics & Economics</i></searchLink>. 2021 7(1):34-55.
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  Data: Higher Education Politics & Economics. 2309 Education Building, Norfolk, VA 23529. Tel: 757-683-4118; e-mail: hepe@odu.edu; Web site: http://ojed.org/index.php/hepe/index
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Debt+%28Financial%29%22">Debt (Financial)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Content+Analysis%22">Content Analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Structural+Analysis+%28Linguistics%29%22">Structural Analysis (Linguistics)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Loan+Programs%22">Student Loan Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Letters+%28Correspondence%29%22">Letters (Correspondence)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Jargon%22">Jargon</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Readability%22">Readability</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Indiana%22">Indiana</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Montana%22">Montana</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Missouri%22">Missouri</searchLink>
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  Data: Since 2012, many Title IV institutions of higher education have sent their students debt letters to inform them of their outstanding loan amounts, estimated or real monthly payments, and other loan-related information. However, no extant research has analyzed whether these letters are written at an appropriate level for college students, nor has research articulated what complex jargon is used in these letters (e.g., "subsidized," "consolidated") and what content is contained in these letters (e.g., interest rates, loan types). Subsequently, this study analyzes a sample of 24 letters gathered from institutions of higher education across the country to fill these research gaps. Results suggest most debt letters are not comprehensible by the average first-or second-year college student, jargon differs between sectors (e.g., public, private), and debt letters share many common elements, such as aggregate loan totals and interest rates, but many do not include contact information or any multimedia, even though letters were written to be delivered digitally. Implications for research, practice, and financial aid communication are addressed.
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  Data: 2022
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  Data: EJ1337546
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      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 34
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Debt (Financial)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Content Analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Structural Analysis (Linguistics)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Loan Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Letters (Correspondence)
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      – SubjectFull: College Students
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      – SubjectFull: Jargon
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      – SubjectFull: Readability
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      – SubjectFull: Indiana
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Montana
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      – SubjectFull: Missouri
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: What's in a Debt Letter? A Content and Linguistic Analysis of Student Loan Debt Letters
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