Scholars Day: April 11, 2012

The American Indentured Student

This paper draws a comparison between the historic institution of indenture servitude and the current system for financing a higher education in the US. Like indentured servants, students of limited means accrue large amounts of debt in their voyage towards a better life. In both systems there is no right to exit, in most cases making the debt only dischargeable under service or repayment. Having drawn such a comparison the paper highlights the impact of student debt on both the individual and society at large. Finally, the paper turns to a comparative analysis of systems for financing a higher education in a quest to provide solutions to the problems outlined.

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