Beating the College Debt Trap: Getting a Degree Without Going Broke

Dr. Peter W. Wood

Justin Taylor

Blogger and managing editor, The ESV Study Bible

Marvin Olasky

Editor-in-chief, WORLD

Matt Perman

Author, What's Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done

Mark Kantrowitz

Senior VP and Publisher, Edvisors.com

Mary Hunt

Author and Founder, Debt-Proof Living

Jay Richards

New York Times Best-Selling Author

Jim Daly

President, Focus on the Family

Dr. R. Albert Mohler

Jr., President, Southern Seminary

Zac Bissonnette

Debt-Free U, New York Times Best-Selling Author

Mitchell E. Daniels

President, Purdue University, Former Governor of Indiana “Alex Chediak's latest book is much better than mine. Easy to read, immensely practical, and deeply empowering, it cuts through the fog of how paying for college works, how you can get the most value for your money, and how you can land on your feet after graduation. If you don't want to waste a decade languishing in student debt, this is the book.”– Zac Bissonnette, Debt-Free U, New York Times Best-Selling Author “Debt is one of the greatest enemies of the Great Commission. Alex Chediak knows the danger full well, and offers a wealth of wisdom in this timely book.”– Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President, Southern Seminary “Far too many high school graduates take out college loans before realizing that they have unwittingly subjected themselves to years of crippling debt. Alex Chediak feels their pain, and he has written a practical primer for helping to avoid the college debt trap. Before you head to college--before you even decide whether or not to attend college--you need to read this book!”– Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family “A college education is one of life's most important decisions, and one of its most costly. But many of us lose our critical faculties when it comes to paying for college. With the cost of higher education going up far faster than the rate of inflation for the past three decades, it's easy for a student to take on crippling debt for no good reason. Alex Chediak has done the detailed research, thought long and hard about this problem, and provides an accessible and trustworthy guide for getting the most bang for the buck. If you are a current or future college student, or a parent of such a student, you owe it to yourself, and to your wallet, to read this book. I'm one such parent, and I'm planning to take his advice.”– Jay Richards, New York Times Best-Selling Author “Worried that college may no longer be worth the cost? These days, with student debt topping $1 trillion, lots of parents and students are. So let's just put that worry to rest: Yes, college is worth it, and it's not even close. A four-year degree has possibly never been more valuable. But going headlong into debilitating debt to get that degree is not worth it. So what's the solution? Read Beating the College Debt Trap before you spend one more second thinking about it. It's the best thing I've read on this subject. Sparing no punches, Alex Chediak comes at the subject both as a student and college professor. He knows his stuff. If there's just one book you read about how to navigate the murky waters of paying for a college education, this should be it. I promise a motivating and inspiring read. Parents, give it to your kids. Kids, leave a copy on the kitchen table--maybe your parents will pick it up and learn something.”– Mary Hunt, Author and Founder, Debt-Proof Living “Alex Chediak's book warns prospective college students about the many pitfalls and traps associated with borrowing to pay for a college education.”– Mark Kantrowitz, Senior VP and Publisher, Edvisors.com “As a college student, I never had to think about debt. For most students, those days are over. Fortunately, Alex Chediak has given us an easy-to-follow roadmap on avoiding the college debt trap that is both insightful and fun to read. You will come away from this book both equipped and inspired. Best of all, he shows how the ultimate aim of minimizing debt is not to maximize our own wealth, but to maximize our freedom to serve others in creative ways without hindrance.”– Matt Perman, Author, What's Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done “Follow Alex Chediak's sound advice and graduate from college with minimal debt.”– Marvin Olasky, Editor-in-chief, WORLD “After writing for college students (Thriving at College) and for parents of prospective college students (Preparing Your Teens for College), Alex Chediak has now written a book that all of us need: Beating the College Debt Trap. Readers can trust Alex. He knows the college world inside out (both as a student and as a professor) and he is able to cut through the confusion, break down what you need to know, and present the results in a wise and accessible way. Learning the information in this book is an exercise in stewardship. Ignore it at your own risk!”– Justin Taylor, Blogger and managing editor, The ESV Study Bible “A college education with little or no debt: the seemingly impossible dream for today's students. Here's how to make it happen.”– Dr. Peter W. Wood, President, National Association of Scholars