A video camera positioned on a tripod captures a news interview, with a blurred background of people, signifying media coverage of a news event.

In the News: DebtSmarts Provides Needed Insights

DebtSmarts is a trusted voice guiding Wisconsin's 700,000+ student loan borrowers.

Journalists and media outlets turn to us for expert insights, real-life stories, and actionable steps for borrowers.

Below, you’ll find highlights of our work featured in news stories, reports, and interviews—along with quick notes on how we contributed.

Part of a promotional graphic featuring a woman with red hair, wearing glasses and a navy blazer, against a light blue background and a large green tropical leaf. Text includes the name Carole Trone, title Executive Director, and logos for the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt.

Need a source or expert quote?

We connect reporters with advocates, borrowers, and policy voices on deadline.

👉 Reach out here

Welcome to DebtSmarts, where Wisconsin students, families, and borrowers get clear, trusted, and free guidance before, during, and after college.

Department of Education notifying student loan borrowers of repayment plan ending

March 30, 2026

A group focused on college affordability explains what the ending of the SAVE repayment plan means for borrowers. Then, two guests discuss how the rising amount of fat in cows’ milk is affecting cheesemaking. And, we learn about a new movie premiering at the Wisconsin Film Festival. The Trump administration is ending a Biden-era student loan repayment plan. The U.S. Department of Education is now notifying borrowers that they have 90 days to apply for a different repayment plan or be automatically enrolled in one. The Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt explains.

Logo for Wisconsin Public Radio featuring concentric circles in orange and red with the text 'WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO'

Advice for Student Loan Borrowers
Interview on The Larry Meiller Show

February 5, 2026

Tens of thousands of Wisconsinites are in default on paying back their student loans. The U.S. Department of Education recently said they could face garnishment of their wages. We talk to Carole Trone, executive director of the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt, about loan borrowers’ options.

Ask Contact 6: Student Loans
DebtSmarts experts answer key borrower questions on FOX6 Milwaukee.

October 10, 2025

By Jenna Sachs
Logo for Wisconsin Public Radio with orange, red, and yellow concentric circle designs.

Some of the Many Questions Answered in this Session:

  • How to get loan forgiveness

  • What to do if you’ve lost track of your loans

  • Can loans be discharged for seniors or due to serious illness?

UW-Madison is Changing Its
Financial Aid Process.

October 1, 2025

More than 130K Wisconsin borrowers
in SAVE student loan program will need a new plan.

December 23, 2025

Student loan borrowers are ‘confused and overwhelmed
Here’s what Wisconsinites should know.

January 27, 2026

A woman sitting alone at a round table, using a laptop, in a modern, brightly lit indoor space near large window panels.
Silhouettes of graduates wearing caps and gowns, some looking at their phones, against a gray sky.
Person wearing graduation cap, with a calculator on top of the cap.

Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt
Offers Free Help as FAFSA opens

September 29, 2025

A woman news anchor in a green dress presenting in a TV studio with a large screen behind her showing people boarding a bus.

By: Shaina Nijhawan

Delay in student loan forgiveness
Impacts Milwaukee woman

September 25, 2025

Everything You Need to Know
About FAFSA Applications

October 01, 2025

Television news studio with a female anchor in a green dress standing next to a large screen displaying the 'Contact 6' logo for FOX 6.
University of Missouri campus corridor with banners reading "Panther Production," "United We Roar," and students walking through.

By: Alex Klaus

Republicans Cap Federal Student Loans
for Graduate Students

July 9, 2025

Group of students at graduation ceremony wearing black caps and gowns, with one student facing away, showing a black mortarboard with a blue tassel.

Student Loan Scammers Take Advantage
as Collections Restart Nationwide

June 29, 2025

A large graduation ceremony with many graduates wearing caps and gowns, standing and facing a stage. The scene is viewed from behind at an outdoor venue with a big crowd and university banners, and some people are raising their hands in celebration.

Borrowers Feel Overwhelmed by Restart
and Unsure of Next Steps to Take

June 23, 2025

Group of students wearing red graduation caps and gowns at a graduation ceremony.

Borrowers Urged to Check Their Loans
and Consider Income-Driven Plans

June 5, 2025

A cartoon drawing of two dark-skinned hands exchanging green dollar bills, with a background of a brown envelope and a red and white striped sleeve.

Federal Government Resumes Collection
for Defaulted Student Loan Borrowers

May 5, 2025

News screenshot with a woman with long brown hair making a confused or perplexed facial expression. The headline shows her name as Baily Spach, a UW-Green Bay senior, with the topic "Following the Money."

Confusing Loan Changes Could Increase
Risk of Unintentional Default

April 23, 2025

Students walking past Bascom Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with news headline about student loan debt collections on screen.

Policy Shifts & Forgiveness Debates
Create Confusion for Loan Borrowers

March 25, 2025

Sunset over the ocean with waves crashing onto rocks and a lighthouse on the shoreline, with trees and a partly cloudy sky.

Wisconsin Educators React to the
Elimination of the U.S. Education Dept.

March 20, 2025

Exterior of the U.S. Department of Education building with a sign displaying its name.

Trump Order on Student Loan Forgiveness
Sparks Confusion

March 12, 2025

A man with blonde hair wearing a dark suit and tie, sitting at a desk, talking on a landline phone with papers in front of him, with an ABC News logo overlay.

Video Interviews & Explainers 

Learn more about student loan forgiveness, repayment options, and updates affecting Wisconsin borrowers through our video features.

With Ascendium’s Hannah Achtor — new rules and key steps explained.

Covers current proposals, political context, and borrower impact.

What public service workers need to know to get forgiveness.

Outlines loan struggles and relief options unique to veterans.

How debt burdens fall harder on Black and Brown borrowers.

Supreme Court ruling, IDR updates, and default relief explained.

Shifting Student Loan Landscape Amid Rising Tuition Costs

WISC-TV News 3 For the Record with host Will Kinneally

July 27, 2025

Student Loan Interest restarting for 8 million borrowers

News 3 Now Live at Four with Sarah Carlson and Billy Westor

July 14, 2025

DEBTSMARTS PODCAST INTERVIEWS

Episode 13: Interview with Benjamin Lee - Student Loan Expert

The Financial Findings Podcast: Where Financial Research, Policy, and Practice Meet.

A professional podcast recording setup with a microphone featuring a gold-colored grille, headphones hanging on a stand, a computer screen, and a neon sign in the background.
Click Here To Listen
Click Here To Listen

Episode 14: Interview with Dr. Carole Trone - Executive Director

The Financial Findings Podcast: Where Financial Research, Policy, and Practice Meet.

Financial Findings Podcast with Carole Trone
Click Here To Listen
Click Here To Listen