Jillian Berman
@jillianberman.bsky.social
Deputy enterprise editor at MarketWatch, covering student loans, consumer debt and more. Get in touch! jberman@marketwatch.com.
Skepticism has been growing not just of higher ed, but of the BA. There are reasons to be worried: debt + unemployment. But the data on short-term programs shows the benefits can be fleeting. TLDR: There's no route to a decent financial life without risk. www.marketwatch.com/story/theres...
There’s a war on the bachelor’s degree. Can anything replace it?
The share of Americans with a bachelor’s degree has been going up for years. That’s about to change, if politicians get their way.
www.marketwatch.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Skepticism has been growing not just of higher ed, but of the BA. There are reasons to be worried: debt + unemployment. But the data on short-term programs shows the benefits can be fleeting. TLDR: There's no route to a decent financial life without risk. www.marketwatch.com/story/theres...
"I feel very powerless in this situation, which is a shame because I followed everything" and "It’s just a battle between presidents" -- these are 2 sentiments that sum up a lot of what I've been hearing from student loan borrowers over the past few years. www.marketwatch.com/story/millio...
Millions of student-loan borrowers have no idea how much they’re supposed to pay
Balances increasing, forgiveness paused — the “level of confusion is just crazy.”
www.marketwatch.com
August 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM
"I feel very powerless in this situation, which is a shame because I followed everything" and "It’s just a battle between presidents" -- these are 2 sentiments that sum up a lot of what I've been hearing from student loan borrowers over the past few years. www.marketwatch.com/story/millio...
Student loan interest rates are starting for millions today + they're sorting through their options amid a lot of challenges in the system. As one told me "I just feel really stuck." www.marketwatch.com/story/studen...
Student-loan interest restarts today for millions. This is what you can do.
Borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan will see their balances start to tick up
www.marketwatch.com
August 1, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Student loan interest rates are starting for millions today + they're sorting through their options amid a lot of challenges in the system. As one told me "I just feel really stuck." www.marketwatch.com/story/studen...
Thanks to ex-ED undersecretary James Kvaal and @washingtonmonthly.com for this insightful discussion of my book, Sunk Cost! I particularly appreciate the comments on my approach to the stories of borrowers who so generously shared their time with me. washingtonmonthly.com/2025/06/18/s...
June 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Thanks to ex-ED undersecretary James Kvaal and @washingtonmonthly.com for this insightful discussion of my book, Sunk Cost! I particularly appreciate the comments on my approach to the stories of borrowers who so generously shared their time with me. washingtonmonthly.com/2025/06/18/s...
The House version of the megabill is proposing major curbs to federal student lending + private lenders are 'very happy to step in for the government.' At a recent student loan industry conference it was a big topic of discussion. marketwatch.com/story/republ...
June 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The House version of the megabill is proposing major curbs to federal student lending + private lenders are 'very happy to step in for the government.' At a recent student loan industry conference it was a big topic of discussion. marketwatch.com/story/republ...
Thanks for reading and sharing @dcollier74.bsky.social! bsky.app/profile/dcol...
Just finished @jillianberman.bsky.social book.
Academics, I think you may like it because it's easily digestible.
Non-academics - this is a good read that combines information most of us who study Higher Ed finance already know with people's stories and written without jargon.
Academics, I think you may like it because it's easily digestible.
Non-academics - this is a good read that combines information most of us who study Higher Ed finance already know with people's stories and written without jargon.
June 4, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Thanks for reading and sharing @dcollier74.bsky.social! bsky.app/profile/dcol...
Reposted by Jillian Berman
Were I in the DC area you would find me here. Book events at public libraries are a special thing. And opportunity to hear from a journalist with extensive experience reporting on student loans.
DC-area! I'll be talking about student debt tonight at the Shepherd Park library. Excited to share insights from my book SUNK COST at a local public library! Details here:
May 27, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Were I in the DC area you would find me here. Book events at public libraries are a special thing. And opportunity to hear from a journalist with extensive experience reporting on student loans.
DC-area! I'll be talking about student debt tonight at the Shepherd Park library. Excited to share insights from my book SUNK COST at a local public library! Details here:
May 27, 2025 at 2:03 PM
DC-area! I'll be talking about student debt tonight at the Shepherd Park library. Excited to share insights from my book SUNK COST at a local public library! Details here:
Excited to see you there! If you're in Philly and interested in learning more about our student loan system, come by Making Worlds this Friday! bsky.app/profile/bake...
Quite jazzed to be attending a book event for Sunk Cost by Jillian Berman (a reporter at marketwatch) this Friday in Philly. Including the link to the event in case you want to attend!
www.makingworldsbooks.org/events/sunk-...
www.makingworldsbooks.org/events/sunk-...
May 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Excited to see you there! If you're in Philly and interested in learning more about our student loan system, come by Making Worlds this Friday! bsky.app/profile/bake...
Before leaving office the Biden admin quietly announced it took steps to protect more of borrowers' Social Security benefits from being taken over a defaulted student loan. Now, as debt collection resumes, the Trump admin is reversing the policy. www.marketwatch.com/story/studen...
Student-loan borrowers in default could see Social Security benefits cut to $750
The Trump administration is reversing a Biden-era policy that would have protected a larger portion of monthly checks for some defaulted student-loan borrowers
www.marketwatch.com
May 13, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Before leaving office the Biden admin quietly announced it took steps to protect more of borrowers' Social Security benefits from being taken over a defaulted student loan. Now, as debt collection resumes, the Trump admin is reversing the policy. www.marketwatch.com/story/studen...
I spoke with @thecut.com about the challenges some student loan borrowers are facing right now and their options for dealing with them: www.thecut.com/article/stud...
Student-Loan Debt Collectors Are Coming for Your Paycheck
Forced collections on student loans in default start next week. Some borrowers might be in for a nasty surprise.
www.thecut.com
May 1, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I spoke with @thecut.com about the challenges some student loan borrowers are facing right now and their options for dealing with them: www.thecut.com/article/stud...
Excited for this tonight! bsky.app/profile/peop...
The current student loan system may be broken, but @jillianberman.bsky.social proposes that significant changes are possible. Come talk about her new book, Sunk Cost this Wed at 6pm. RSVP peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/sunk-c...
@uchicagopress.bsky.social
@uchicagopress.bsky.social
Jillian Berman for “Sunk Cost”
Student-loan horror stories are a dime a dozen. But students today are faced with a seemingly insurmountable paradox: Research consistently shows that the clearest viable option to financial stabil…
peoplesbooktakoma.com
April 16, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Excited for this tonight! bsky.app/profile/peop...
Today is pub day for SUNK COST, my book on the student debt crisis! It chronicles how a policy aimed at helping low- and middle-income Americans afford college became one of the biggest consumer finance challenges of our time. Order it here! press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Sunk Cost
Exposes the forgotten origins of the student loan system, how politicians have attempted to fix it, and the life-altering damage borrowers face. Student-loan horror stories are a dime a dozen. But s...
press.uchicago.edu
April 8, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Today is pub day for SUNK COST, my book on the student debt crisis! It chronicles how a policy aimed at helping low- and middle-income Americans afford college became one of the biggest consumer finance challenges of our time. Order it here! press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Excited to be at my neighborhood bookstore, People’s Book, on April 16 talking about SUNK COST. bsky.app/profile/peop...
March 31, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Excited to be at my neighborhood bookstore, People’s Book, on April 16 talking about SUNK COST. bsky.app/profile/peop...
With millions of borrowers behind on student loan payments + applications for affordable repayment plans unavailable, the Trump admin is looking to slash customer service as part of its bid for efficiency. www.marketwatch.com/story/studen...
February 27, 2025 at 4:52 PM
With millions of borrowers behind on student loan payments + applications for affordable repayment plans unavailable, the Trump admin is looking to slash customer service as part of its bid for efficiency. www.marketwatch.com/story/studen...
Had fun answering some questions for @ryanbeckwith.bsky.social's newsletter! yourfirstbyline.substack.com/p/my-first-b...
My First Byline: Jillian Berman
Deputy Enterprise Editor, MarketWatch
yourfirstbyline.substack.com
February 26, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Had fun answering some questions for @ryanbeckwith.bsky.social's newsletter! yourfirstbyline.substack.com/p/my-first-b...
“There’s not an articulation of exactly what is likely to return and what might continue to be frozen, and that’s just a very difficult place for any organization to operate, much less every aspect of American society.” www.marketwatch.com/story/from-m...
From Medicaid to student loans, scope of Trump budget gambit leaves Americans scrambling
Move to halt federal grant funding will create a “constitutional crisis,” a top Senate Democrat said.
www.marketwatch.com
January 29, 2025 at 2:09 PM
“There’s not an articulation of exactly what is likely to return and what might continue to be frozen, and that’s just a very difficult place for any organization to operate, much less every aspect of American society.” www.marketwatch.com/story/from-m...
My book Sunk Cost is coming in April! It exposes the forgotten origins of the student loan system, how politicians have tried to fix it, and the life-altering damage borrowers face. Pre-order here! press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Sunk Cost
Exposes the forgotten origins of the student loan system, how politicians have attempted to fix it, and the life-altering damage borrowers face. Student-loan horror stories are a dime a dozen. But s...
press.uchicago.edu
December 10, 2024 at 3:46 PM
My book Sunk Cost is coming in April! It exposes the forgotten origins of the student loan system, how politicians have tried to fix it, and the life-altering damage borrowers face. Pre-order here! press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Pumped for this! bsky.app/profile/dali...
Excited to be part of this this (all-women!) panel on #studentdebt at @consumerfed.bsky.social Financial Services Conference this Thursday in DC. moderated by @jillianberman.bsky.social with Ashley Harrington and satrafierce.bsky.social
consumerfed.org/events/finan...
consumerfed.org/events/finan...
December 9, 2024 at 2:42 PM
Pumped for this! bsky.app/profile/dali...
MarketWatch is on BlueSky! Follow @marketwatch.com for the latest on investing, personal finance and more!
December 6, 2024 at 4:07 PM
MarketWatch is on BlueSky! Follow @marketwatch.com for the latest on investing, personal finance and more!
He fought for years to win the disability benefits he was eligible for + a judge agreed the government owed him $97,000 in backpay. Then the check was stolen from the mail, putting him at risk of homelessness. www.marketwatch.com/story/a-stol...
A stolen $97,000 check, a bureaucratic nightmare — and an unlikely happy ending
Todd Kahler was on the verge of homelessness after his Social Security disability-benefit check was stolen from the mail. He got the money back, but it took tenacity and some outside help.
www.marketwatch.com
November 25, 2024 at 8:46 PM
He fought for years to win the disability benefits he was eligible for + a judge agreed the government owed him $97,000 in backpay. Then the check was stolen from the mail, putting him at risk of homelessness. www.marketwatch.com/story/a-stol...
Trying this out! I'm reporter/editor with an expertise in student debt, sharing my latest: Tens of thousands of student loan borrowers were promised relief, they're still waiting and their worried about what the Trump admin will mean for the future of their loans. www.marketwatch.com/story/their-...
Their student loans should have been canceled already. What happens under Trump?
Pressure is building on the Biden administration to process promised student-loan cancellations in its waning days.
www.marketwatch.com
November 18, 2024 at 5:04 PM
Trying this out! I'm reporter/editor with an expertise in student debt, sharing my latest: Tens of thousands of student loan borrowers were promised relief, they're still waiting and their worried about what the Trump admin will mean for the future of their loans. www.marketwatch.com/story/their-...