Ameritech Financial: New Research Shows Where Students Live Determines Educational Opportunity

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Jul 26, 2018, 13:00 ET

ROHNERT PARK, Calif., July 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Students' ability to navigate the educational and financial responsibilities of higher education is highly impacted by where they live, according to a recent study by the Institute for Research and Higher Learning at Penn Graduate School of Education. College Opportunity at Risk assesses the challenges each state faces in providing high-quality, affordable higher education. Students in Mississippi are most at risk, facing serious challenges in all areas of higher education, while students in Washington are least at risk. Millions of students have taken on student loan debt in pursuit of opportunities through higher education. Should where they go to college determine if their career path can be enough to repay their student loans? For those struggling with student loan debt, Ameritech Financial is a document preparation company that attempts to align student loan borrowers with federal programs that could potentially lower their payments and then assists with completing the application.

"It is fascinating to study these trends and think about how geography plays a central role for those struggling with educational opportunity and student debt," noted Tom Knickerbocker, executive vice president of Ameritech Financial. "Just as many people don't know that where they live affects educational outcomes, many people don't know about income-driven repayment plans (IDRs) or how a document preparation company like ours could help them as we hold their hand through the application process."

Based on a state's educational performance, equity, funding and overall economy, the rankings provide a tool to policymakers in deciding where to focus. For example, Wisconsin, with an excellent overall ranking as the sixth least-at-risk state for educational opportunity, has the second-highest risk in educational equity, with the nation's biggest gaps in high school and higher learning graduation between white students and those from all other races. Another example is Illinois which has a much lower overall rating of 34th, but actually provides excellent academic performance for its students, lagging due to underfunding and the state's unstable finances.

Though these numbers do not directly correlate to default rates for student loans, it does indicate areas of weakness in a state's higher educational institutional integrity and what academic and economic pressures are faced by students who live and are educated in those states. For millions of Americans, the cost of college and the debt incurred end up outweighing the benefits and ability to repay their loans. For those borrowers, Ameritech Financial can assist in applying for and maintaining enrollment in federally available programs, such as IDRs, that can possibly lower monthly payments, even ending in forgiveness in 20 or 25 years of enrollment.

"As policymakers grapple with challenges in higher education and student loan debt, it is crucial to have good data, such as this report," said Knickerbocker. "Despite larger academic and economic forces, we will continue to help borrowers navigate the complex system of student loan debt repayment."

About Ameritech Financial

Ameritech Financial is a private company located in Rohnert Park, California. Ameritech Financial has already helped thousands of consumers with financial analysis and student loan document preparation to apply for federal student loan repayment programs offered through the Department of Education.

Each Ameritech Financial telephone representative has received the Certified Student Loan Professional certification through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).

Ameritech Financial prides itself on its exceptional customer service.

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Contact

To learn more about Ameritech Financial, please contact:

Ameritech Financial
5789 State Farm Drive #265
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
1-800-792-8621
[email protected]

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