College students are putting themselves into debt at a frightening and unsustainable rate, say experts—and it could have a massive impact on our economy. According to new figures from the New York Federal Reserve, student loans now tally a collective $900 billion—up from $360 billion seven years ago. That equates to more citizen debt than credit cards or auto debt; and should those loans go south, it could drag the country back into recession. There are signs indicating that’s exactly what’s happening. Unemployment and underemployment rates among college students and recent college grads are higher than those in other age groups, meaning many youth are struggling to pay back their loans. Many lenders are reporting more student loan defaults and delinquencies. (Slate)