{
  "id": 4186775,
  "title": "I loved attending an HBCU, but now I'm still struggling with student loan debt 20 years later. I don't want the same for my kids.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/i-loved-attending-an-hbcu-but-now-im-still-struggling-with-student",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-29T12:07:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/hbcu-student-loan-debt-question-sending-my-kids-college-2026-8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chantel Henry, a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU, reflects on her college experience and the student loan debt she incurred 20 years later. Though she loved attending the university, she regrets that her children won't follow in her footsteps. Henry applied to Clark Atlanta University when she was 18 and, despite being accepted, was shocked by the total cost of tuition, room and board, books, and fees, which amounted to $25,000. Her mother co-signed a loan to help her pay for the high cost of attendance, and she took on debt that would follow her for the next 20 years. During her time at Clark Atlanta from 2006 to 2010, she struggled with financial aid lines, dropped classes due to updated paperwork, and felt the university lacked functioning facilities, reliable administration, current technology, and strong career opportunities. Despite these challenges, Henry found belonging at Clark Atlanta, studying under Black professors and seeing other students like herself become leaders, entrepreneurs, and graduate students. However, looking back as a parent, she would not encourage her children to choose an HBCU solely for the experience, especially if it means taking on more debt for fewer resources. Henry believes her children, who are now 7 and 9, can experience Black excellence through the people around them, books, museums, travel, history, and everyday life. She wants their college decision to be centered on what will best prepare them for their desired careers, including academic programs, costs, scholarships, internships, and facilities.",
  "summary": "I attended Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU. I loved it, but I'm struggling with debt 20 years later. I don't want the same for my kids.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chantel Henry attended Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU, from 2006 to 2010.",
    "She incurred $25,000 in student loan debt, which followed her for 20 years.",
    "Henry regrets that her children won't attend HBCUs due to financial concerns."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}