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American Economic Review: Vol. 101 No. 6 (October 2011)

AER Volume. 101, Issue 6 | Previous ArticleNext Article

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The Nature of Credit Constraints and Human Capital

Article Citation

Lochner, Lance J., and Alexander Monge-Naranjo. 2011. "The Nature of Credit Constraints and Human Capital." American Economic Review, 101(6): 2487-2529.

DOI: 10.1257/aer.101.6.2487

Abstract

We develop a human capital model with borrowing constraints explicitly derived from government student loan (GSL) programs and private lending under limited commitment. The model helps explain the persistent strong positive correlation between ability and schooling in the United States, as well as the rising importance of family income for college attendance. It also explains the increasing share of undergraduates borrowing the GSL maximum and the rise in student borrowing from private lenders. Our framework offers new insights regarding the interaction of government and private lending, as well as the responsiveness of private credit to economic and policy changes. (JEL D14, H52, I22, I23, J24)

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Download Data Set (1.06 MB) | Online Appendix (216.72 KB)

Authors

Lochner, Lance J. (U Western Ontario)
Monge-Naranjo, Alexander (PA State U)

JEL Classifications

D14: Personal Finance
H52: National Government Expenditures and Education
I22: Educational Finance
I23: Higher Education and Research Institutions
J24: Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity