Excerpt: In "The Student Loan Mess," we delve into a system where well-intentioned policies snowballed into a $1 trillion problem. The authors uncover how federal lending programs, meant to democratize higher education, morphed into a sprawling industry with little accountability. We were struck by the historical parallels between the 1960s’ expansion of student aid and today’s skyrocketing debt. The book’s analysis of institutional incentives and borrower psychology feels refreshingly candid, forcing us to question whether our current solution—more regulations or refinancing—will even work. The narrative is dense but rewarding, laying bare a mess born from noble goals. For us, it’s not just an account of failure but a call to critically examine how good intentions can go awry. This isn’t just about loans; it’s about accountability in policy, and we walk away with a newfound sense of urgency to consider the long-term consequences of our decisions.