As new year begins, students worry about debt

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - It was move-in day for students at Springfield College , but amid the excitement and nerves was an underlying concern about the cost of college.

“It's a little nerve-racking thinking about how much I have to pay off,” freshman Meaghan Bramhall said.

But her mother, Kim Bramhall, says that the cost is ultimately worth it. “I think the payoff is going to be bigger than the amount that we spend on her education,” she said.

According to the non-profit group American Student Assistance , 60% of college students must borrow money to pay for school.

The Federal Reserve reports that 14% of college graduates who owe money have at least one past-due account.

Senior Katie Belleau started school thinking that she would need to choose a major that would help her make enough money to pay off her college loans.

“I definitely was focused on PT work. They make good money but after field work, I realized that money isn't everything and I decided to go with what I loved,” she said.

But for others, the decision wasn't quite as easy. Jesse Boyd had a difficult time switching his major because it meant more debt.

“I almost didn't switch, just because I didn't want to spend more time at school,” said Boyd, a senior.

It’s a daunting decision for many of these students simply trying to get over the back-to-school-jitters on what is an exciting day for many of them.