Credit Card Debt Panel at Broward Community College

Since access to higher education is unaffordable for many students, they are forced to borrow from credit card companies to take care of other expenses. Are credit cards good or bad for young people? Access to credit – also known as borrowing money – has been essential to helping many Americans realize their dreams.  But accept a bad credit deal, or borrow too much, and you can end up buried in debt.  One area of debate is credit cards.  Credit card companies are all over U.S. campuses seeking to sign up students.  Today’s college graduates leave campus with an average of almost $4,000 in credit card debt – more than double the amount from 10 years ago.  These concerns raise the questions: What is a fair deal, and what is a deceptive solicitation?  How can you avoid escalating fees and charges?  What is the responsibility of credit card companies? What role should government play in protecting consumers?  Who is often harmed by this culture of credit and why? Can you educate and protect yourself to ensure that access to credit doesn’t quickly produce a mountain of debt? And how can these answers impact your life for years to come? Our panel of experts will address these issues and engage in discussion with the audience.

The panel will feature Jason Alderman, director of the financial education programs for Visa; Rebecca Thompson, legislative director at the United States Student Association; and Ardie Hollifield, legislative associate from the Center for Responsible Lending.  The panel will be moderated by Timothy Westrich, research associate at the Center for American Progress.

Refreshments will be served.  Sponsored by Campus Progress and Business Professionals of America.

For more information, please email speakers@campusprogress.org.