WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |A recent study raises concerns over the amount of debt college students are taking on

Eau Claire (WQOW) - College debt is one thing that could be a speed bump in the economic recovery.  That debt is growing. 

In a survey of bankruptcy attorneys, most say they've seen an increase in the number of people who are struggling to pay back their student loans. 

The average student loan debt was estimated to be around $25,000 in 2010, up five percent from the previous year. 

Nkaujhmoob Moua says she's concerned about how much college could put her in debt. 

"I hope it's less than $10,000," says Nkaujhmoob Moua, a sophomore at UW-Eau Claire. 

Moua is keeping her debt low through scholarships and by working. 

"I work two jobs just to keep myself steady to be able to afford the things I can afford and have a little money for free spending," says Moua. 

She isn't alone, 68 percent of students graduate from UW-Eau Claire with debt.  That's up from 1998 when 62 percent of students graduated with debt. 

Currently, the dollar amount for students who graduate with debt is around $22,000. 

"Tuition costs, general costs going up is certainly a factor, but added to that is the fact people could access more federal student loans than before," says Kathy Sahlhoff, UW-Eau Claire Director of Financial Aid. 

Of the students with debt, 1.5 percent end up defaulting on their loans.  The university says it works with students to keep that percentage low. 

"Anything we can do to support a student getting the information they need to negotiate with a lender and develop some terms so they don't go into default because there are multiple strategies and choices," says Sahlhoff. 

The advice can range from the loan amount getting only what the student needs, not what they're eligible for and the type of loan. 

"We do a lot of work to encourage the students to do the federal loans because usually the terms of those loans and repayment options for those loans are more advantageous," says Sahlhoff. 

And even though college could put her in debt, Moua sees it as an investment into her future. 

"If you can go through and get a BA, go through and get a masters, to have that financial stability is something many people struggle with," says Moua. 

At UW-Stout, 78 percent of students graduate with some type of debt.  The average debt among those students is more than $28,000 with around 2.2 percent defaulting on their loans. 

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the student loan default rate in 2009 was 8.8 percent.  That's up nearly two percent from 2008.