Parents Carry School Debt Year-Round

Before current fall shopping begins, ~27% of parents already owed >$1K in school debt, and ~60% were carrying some school-related balance overall.
Ahead of current fall shopping, ~48% of parents planned to spend >$1K per child, while another ~28% expected $500-$999 in school costs.
Even among parents with >$1K already owed, ~86% still planned another $1K per child, and ~68% felt confident they could avoid more debt.
School costs reshaped household budgets: ~76% reported trade-offs, including minimum debt payments, delayed savings or bills, and cutbacks on essentials or activities.
Families may need a fuller budget review, because overlapping school balances can turn seasonal shopping into a year-round financial obligation for many households.