By Janie Gonzalez
Attendees greeting each other prior to the screening.
In the United States, student loan debt has reached over $1.75 trillion, surpassing both credit card and auto loan debt. These startling facts were presented as part of a documentary screening of The Real Cost, hosted by the Women’s Fund at Austin Community Foundation. Attended by over 30 community members, the documentary explores the massive student debt crisis in the U.S., highlighting the struggles that millions of Americans face under the weight of loans. It offers a sobering look at how student loans trap individuals into financial hardship and encourages viewers to reflect on how the system might be reformed to better serve future generations.
Higher education can be a pathway to economic empowerment, yet its financial burden can be overwhelming, particularly amongst women and people of color who are disproportionately impacted by student loan debt. According to ACF’s 2023 report, Women’s Issues are Community Issues, Latino student debt accounts for over half of all student debt in Texas. Nearly 75% of Central Texas women have some college education or an associate degree, yet a significant proportion of Black and Latina women do not end up completing their studies often due to family and caregiving obligations. This means that many women of color are not only left carrying college debt without the ultimate degree, but also face less earning potential as a result—therefore exacerbating obstacles to improving their economic mobility.
From left to right: Ashley Alaniz-Moyer, Dr. Ruth Reinhart, Dr. Victor Sáenz, and Matt Pope.
Following the screening, a panel of education experts explored the complexities of student debt and how students can navigate these barriers. The panel featured Dr. Ruth Reinhart, Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Support Services at Austin Community College; Matt Pope, CEO and Founder of EDpact; and Dr. Victor B. Sáenz, Associate Dean for Student Success at the University of Texas College of Education. Our moderator Ashley Alaniz-Moyer, Executive Director at Hispanic Scholarship Consortium, led the group in a discussion about the importance of increasing youth awareness of the options, programs, and support available to help them pursue a degree.
One example of such support is ACC’s pilot free tuition program, and many Central Texas schools are implementing student support programs that reduce credit requirements or offer dual-degree pathways. The panelists also highlighted that today’s students often follow nontraditional paths, with many taking breaks between high school and college or extending their time to graduate once enrolled. Regardless of circumstances, they encouraged exploring these resources and support options to complete a degree affordably.
Panelists engaging in conversation.
The Women’s Fund is a collective giving program focused on eliminating the racial wealth and health divide faced by women in Central Texas. This work includes investing in education—a core component of a woman’s economic mobility. This December, Austin Community Foundation will be announcing $100,000 in funding for nonprofits that advance education and empower women to make informed choices about their educational journeys. This initiative is part of our larger $500,000 commitment to enhancing women’s economic mobility and helping them build stable futures.
As other members of the Women’s Fund and I continue to reflect on insights from The Real Cost and the accompanying panel discussion, it is clear that supporting equitable access to education is essential. We invite you to help strengthen an ecosystem of financial, emotional, and academic support for women in Central Texas pursuing educational dreams. Support our work by making a gift today, or learn more about the Women’s Fund here.
For those interested in viewing the documentary, The Real Cost is available on Amazon Prime. Austin Community Foundation hosts annual events, like this screening, to spotlight critical issues impacting our region. Want to stay informed on upcoming events? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for the latest news and invitations.
Janie Gonzalez is a member of the Women’s Fund Steering Committee.
Austin Community Foundation gives special thanks to our esteemed moderator and panelists for the evening.