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The Student Debt Dilemma:
History, Implications, and Potential Solutions

necag conferenceThe 8th Annual New England Consumer Advisory Group Conference
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

For many people, the American Dream includes earning a college degree to enhance social mobility and provide economic security for themselves and their families. However, for many, student debt transforms that dream into a dream deferred. Student loan debt in the United States has surpassed that of credit cards and has become an escalating financial burden on students and families.

Join us at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston for the 8th Annual New England Consumer Advisory Group Forum to hear how this debt burden reached its startling level, how it affects the American household, and the potential solutions to address this growing crisis.

Agenda and Presentations

8:30 am

Continental Breakfast & Registration

Emcee:
Matthew Paradise
Education Development Team Lead and Trainer
American Consumer Credit Counseling
9:00 -9:15  

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Jeffrey C. Fuhrer
Executive Vice President and Senior Policy Advisor
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Presentation pdf
9:15- 10:00

History &Trend Analysis  

Moderator: 
Martin Lacdao
Associate Director
Graduate Program in Banking and Financial Law
Boston University

Panelists:
Carol S. Lewis
Financial Education and Regulation Consultant
C.S. Lewis Consulting
Presentation pdf

Sandy Baum
Senior Fellow
George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development
Presentation pdf

 10:00-11:25 

Implications and Problems  

Moderator:
Dawn Hicks
Senior Community Affairs Analyst
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
 
Panelists:
Kevin Fudge
Education and Financial Aid Advisor
American Student Assistance

Lynne Medsker
Director of Guidance
Westwood High School  
Presentation pdf

Ruth J. Liberman
Vice President of Public Policy
Crittenton Women’s Union
Presentation pdf
11:25-11:40 Break  
11:40-1:00 pm

Potential Solutions 

Moderator: 
William N. Lund
Superintendent
Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection

Panelists:
Margaret M. Clancy
Director of College Savings Initiative and Director of Policy 
Washington University  
Presentation pdf

Tara Payne
Vice President of College Planning and Community Engagement
New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation
Presentation pdf

Rebecca L. Rose
Assistant Director of Financial Education
Syracuse University  
Handout pdf
1:00 

Luncheon Keynote

Keynote Introduction:
Carolina Trujillo
Residential Loan Officer
Eastern Bank

Keynote:
Karin Maloney Stifler, CFP®, AIF®
True Wealth Advisors
Presentation pdf

2:00 Adjourn

About NECAG

The New England Consumer Advisory Group (NECAG) consists of regulators, attorneys, bankers, academics, consumer advocates, and other financial industry professionals who meet periodically to identify and address emerging consumer financial protection issues.