Once again, Athens State University students fare better than the national average on student loan repayments, according to recent U.S. Department of Education figures.

Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education, recently announced that according to the last fiscal year’s figures, the national student loan cohort default rate remains historically low at 5.2 percent.

But according to Athens State University’s Director of Financial Aid Sarah McAbee, the default rate for Athens State’s graduates was even less than half of the nation’s low percentage at 2.5 percent.

“Our alumni historically seem to be good credit risks for these federal loans,” McAbee said. “An affordable tuition, the maturity of our students, and the university’s commitment to assure a manageable debt upon graduation are all strong factors in the low default rate. I am always impressed in the manner in which our former students have fulfilled their financial responsibilities.”

To decrease the amount of debt incurred by their graduates, Athens State’s Office of Financial Aid identifies federal, state, institutional and outside funding sources available to students, including both grant and loan programs.

In addition, Athens State awards approximately 60 scholarships annually with the Athens State University Foundation and the University’s Alumni Association providing more than 100 scholarships awarded each year.