A new student debt study conducted by the ABA Young Lawyers Division offers new insights regarding young lawyers’ experiences with the COVID-19 student loan repayment pause, their plans in the event of loan forgiveness, their satisfaction with loan servicers, and their mindsets regarding work-life balance.

ABA student debt surveys in 2020 and 2021 showed that those with the highest debt balances more often reported delaying or forgoing significant life events (e.g., marriage, home buying and having children).

The 2024 survey results illustrate notable differences in borrowing and debt effects by respondent characteristics, including first-generation college status. The findings indicate: