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Paralysis by analysis? Effects of information on student loan take-up

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  • Marx, Benjamin M.
  • Turner, Lesley J.

Abstract

Can relevant information influence student borrowing? In a field experiment with a large community college, we send emails about federal student loans to students who have received financial aid offers but have not made a borrowing decision. A treatment reminding students that they need not borrow the maximum amount of available loan aid has no effect. Treatments referencing amounts borrowed by recent graduates shift students from borrowing the maximum amount to not borrowing. Consistent with the hypothesis that students experience cognitive overload when presented with multiple loan amounts, the response is largest among low-performing students and arises from inaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Marx, Benjamin M. & Turner, Lesley J., 2020. "Paralysis by analysis? Effects of information on student loan take-up," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:77:y:2020:i:c:s0272775720301515
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2020.102010
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    2. Kramer, Dennis A. & Lamb, Christina & Page, Lindsay C., 2021. "The effects of default choice on student loan borrowing: Experimental evidence from a public research university," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 470-489.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household

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