A new study shows that students are struggling more and more with student loan debt. Currently, 27 percent of student loan borrowers have past due balances by at least one month, according to new Federal Reserve data of delinquent student loan debt.

This statistic is not in the least bit surprising. Students who currently struggle with student loan debt do so because they follow a pattern: they go to college to get better jobs, then find they may need to further their education at an institution of higher learning in order to get a job that will pay well enough to eliminate their student loan debt in a reasonable amount of time. As a result, they have to take out more loans, which leads to more debt.

The study also took information from Equifax credit reports and found that 15 percent of the United States population has student loan debt and that 40 percent of those under the age of 30 with student loan debt have outstanding student loans of over $20,000 on average.

Furthermore, students need to take out more and more money in loans as tuition prices increase. According to websites like finaid.org and a CBS News report, in the 2011-2012 academic year, college tuition increased at an of average of 4.6 percent at private colleges and universities, while the tuition at public colleges and universities increased on average 8.3 percent. Not only are students required to increase their student loan debt in order to further their education, but they are also required to pay more for increases in the tuition from year to year.

To put it in perspective, the tuition at Connecticut College–a private college in New London, Connecticut–for the 2011-2012 academic year was $54,970. If that increased by 4.6 percent, the cost to attend Connecticut College in the 2012-2013 academic year would be $57,499.

Meanwhile, the tuition at the University of Vermont–a public university in Burlington, Vermont–was $23,418 for a Vermont resident and $41,982 for a student coming from outside of Vermont. If these figures increased by 8.3 percent, it would cost Vermont residents $25,362 for the 2012-2013 academic year, and out-of-state students would pay $45,467 for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Considering all of this, it is not at all shocking that students are taking out more and more loans and are currently struggling with the enormous debts they have amassed. With rising tuition prices and an increasing need for a better degree, Americans are taking out far more loans than they can literally afford.

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President Obama told a packed audience of supporters in Vermont on Friday that America faces a stark choice between a society based on “shared responsibility” and a society “where you’re on your own.” He pledged to continue his efforts to equalize the tax burden and to push legislation which he believes will continue to create jobs and strengthen the economy.

Speaking of his rivals in the Republican presidential primary, Obama said, “Their philosophy is simple: in America, you’re on your own. If you’re out of work and can’t find a job, too bad; you’re on your own. If you get sick and don’t have healthcare, you’re own your own. If you’re born into poverty, you’re supposed to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, even if you don’t have boots.” He continued, “They believe that’s how America advanced. That’s their cramped, narrow conception of liberty, and they are wrong.”

Obama said the Republican philosophy is reflected in their efforts to cut government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, deregulate the banks, and create a tax structure that favors the wealthy. That is the same approach that caused the recession in 2008, he said.

“The recovery is happening,” said Obama. “In three years, we’ve created four million new jobs. We’ve rescued the American auto industry. American manufacturing is stronger than it’s been in years. I know there are still a lot of people out of work, and things haven’t gone as fast as we would like, but the last thing we can afford to do is go back to the same policies that caused this mess in the first place.”

Obama’s speech at the University of Vermont in Burlington was the first leg of a fundraising tour through New England. He drew laughs from the heavily partisan crowd when he pointed out that he was the first American president to visit the state in 17 years. President George W. Bush avoided Vermont, a perennial stronghold of the Democratic party and bastion of liberal politics, through all eight years of his presidency. President Bill Clinton visited the state during his first term.

“We’re going the reset the clock on that,” he said. “We love you,” shouted a woman in the audience. “Love you back,” Obama responded, drawing more laughs and cheers.

While avoiding the Supreme Court hearings on his healthcare reform bill, Obama touted the benefits of the law and said it has already had a positive impact. “Two and a half million more young people now have health insurance because they’re allowed to stay on their parents plans until they’re 26,” said Obama. “Seniors have already saved hundreds of millions on their Medicare prescription drug benefits. The healthcare reform we’ve passed will ensure that no one will go broke just because they got sick.”

He said the Republican party originally supported many of the ideas included in the healthcare reform law and that their uncooperative, anti-government attitude is something new. He said some of the country’s greatest achievements, such as the GI Bill, the space program, and the interstate highway system, were only possible with bipartisan support.

“There used to be a common spirit of cooperation, but not anymore, at least not in Washington D.C.,” said Obama. “But outside of Washington, most Americans understand that no matter who you are or where you’re from, we rise and fall as one people.”

Obama concluded by telling his supporters not to be discouraged by the opposition to the changes and improvements he promised when he ran for office in 2008.

“I told you change would not be easy,” said Obama. “I’m not a perfect man – Michelle will tell you that. But I promised I would keep fighting as hard as possible for positive change, and I have kept that promise. We’ll keep working until we’ve finished what we started in 2008. Press on with me. Press on, and we’ll remind the world what America is all about.”

Image Courtesy of    Ryan Rodrick Beiler / Shutterstock.com

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As sustainable living grows increasingly crucial, higher learning institutions must take up the mantle of environmental leadership, advocacy and innovation to nurture tomorrow’s sustainability champions and find practical, effective green solutions.

U.S. News & World Report-ranked University of Vermont (UVM) has launched the new 100% online certificate in Sustainable Campus Innovation to help higher education institutions claim their place at the forefront of the sustainability revolution. Registration is now under way for this robust training program, with classes starting in March 2012 and will be offered monthly, thereafter.

The certificate in Sustainable Campus Innovation equips those working in operations, administration and student leadership with the training to inspire and guide a green transformation across their campus and surrounding community. Program participants will discover how a commitment to optimizing the triple bottom line can help their institution become a model for sustainability. During three eight-week courses, they can gain a mastery of real-world sustainability skills, including how to:

• Institute sustainable practices in areas including energy, waste, water and transportation to minimize damage to the environment and reduce costs
• Drive environmental innovation to boost enrollment of eco-savvy students
• Increase revenue by decreasing operational deficiencies
• Cultivate a reputation for environmental responsibility
• Keep abreast of and capitalize on emerging green trends
• Incorporate sustainability into the curriculum to encourage student participation and retention

“We are pleased to work with University Alliance to create a program that brings together experts and draws upon the best practices from colleges and universities nationwide to help other institutions advance their sustainability efforts,” said Cynthia Belliveau, Dean of Continuing Education for UVM. “It is our sincere hope that this new program will enable participants to engender a sustainable culture among their own student body, on campus and throughout the greater community.”

Using a state-of-the-art online classroom powered by University Alliance, the certificate in Sustainable Campus Innovation enables professionals across the country and around the world to build sustainability skills under the guidance of distinguished experts in the field. The program features streaming video lectures with convenient 24/7 access, as well as a variety of Web-based tools that connect instructors and participants, including live chat rooms, discussion boards and email.

“We’re excited to facilitate delivery of this new sustainability certificate on behalf of the University of Vermont,” said Adrian Marrullier, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for University Alliance. “The program brings together an institution that is a top authority in one of today’s most imperative disciplines with our pioneering online technology and world-class support services to provide a first-rate learning experience.”

UVM is a demonstrated green authority. Given an “A” rating from the College Sustainability Report Card in 2011, UVM established the Institute for Global Sustainability in 2007 with the mission of educating students and citizens on how to serve as leaders in the transition to a sustainable world.

The university has also commenced registration for its new certificate in Sustainable Innovation, an end-to-end program created to help professionals in business organizations develop sustainability expertise that can increase profitability and community engagement.

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