A Research Report by the UW–Madison Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs | Spring 2026

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In this report, La Follette students examine how Wisconsin can strengthen support for student loan borrowers by drawing on borrower assistance systems in peer states.

DebtSmarts partnered with graduate researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison to examine how Wisconsin can better identify and support distressed student loan borrowers. This report offers data-driven insights and actionable recommendations to expand DebtSmarts' reach across the state.

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  • Course: Workshop in Public Affairs, PA 869, taught by Manny Teodoro, Spring 2026

  • Authors: Mufan Chen, Shah Fahad, Rachel Rogers, and Graham Stier

  • Client: The Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt

Prepared as part of the La Follette School's Workshop in Public Affairs, this report analyzes Wisconsin's student loan borrower landscape and draws lessons from borrower support systems in Minnesota, New York, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Researchers: Mufan Chen, Shah Fahad, Rachel Rogers, and Graham Stier Faculty Supervisor: Professor Manuel P. Teodoro Client Organization: Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt (DebtSmarts) Published: Spring 2026

❋ Who Is Most at Risk

Who Is Most at Risk Borrowers at technical colleges and proprietary schools face delinquency rates of 16.5% and 17.4% — far higher than four-year institutions.

❋ Milwaukee Borrower Concentration

Milwaukee Concentration Milwaukee accounts for 29.5% of Wisconsin's delinquent borrowers despite representing only 19.7% of total borrowers — a disparity tied to racial and economic inequities.

❋ Income and Repayment Anxiety

Income Drives Repayment Anxiety Lower-income borrowers are nearly 30 percentage points more likely to report repayment concern, often well before reaching formal delinquency or default.

❋ Wisconsin's Support Gap

Despite over 720,000 Wisconsin borrowers holding $24 billion in student loan debt, the state has no student loan ombudsman and no borrower bill of rights. DebtSmarts remains one of the only organizations providing direct borrower support statewide.