Topic: Should the United States change the use of student loans to fund tuition costs?
The first article that I did the C.R.A.A.P Test on was: Is a student loan crisis on the horizon?
The article was published on June 24, 2014, and updated on October 14, 2015. So it's a bit outdated, but still worth considering.The authors, Beth Akers and Matthew Chingos, analyzed data from the Survey of Consumer Finances, which is a reputable source. They found that a significant portion of the increase in student debt can be attributed to higher levels of education, especially graduate degrees. They also found that the average lifetime incomes of college-educated individuals have increased along with debt loads.
Beth Akers is a senior scholar with a PhD in Economics, and Matthew Chingos is a Senior Fellow Director of Education with a PhD in Government. They have expertise in their respective fields, which adds credibility to their research.
The authors used data from the Survey of Consumer Finances, a widely used source. This helps support their findings and adds to the accuracy of their analysis.
The purpose of the article is to present a different perspective on the student loan crisis. The authors argue that the impact of student loans may not be as dire as some people think, based on their analysis of the data. Overall, while the article is a bit outdated, it provides an interesting perspective on the student loan crisis.

The second article I evaluated was:The Far-Reaching Impact of the student debt crisis
This blog post was published recently, so it's up-to-date on the current issue of student loan debt.The post is relevant to the topic of student loan debt and its impact on college graduates in the United States.The blog post is written by Scholarship America, an organization known for providing scholarships and financial aid resources. They have expertise in the field of education and student finances.The information provided in the post aligns with widely known facts about student loan debt, including the total amount of debt, average debt levels, and the Biden administration's proposed student loan forgiveness plan.
The purpose of the blog post is to inform readers about the student debt crisis and its far-reaching impact, highlighting the need for action and potential solutions.
Based on the information provided, both sources have their merits. The first article, "Is a student loan crisis on the horizon," is a bit outdated as it was published in 2014 and updated in 2015. However, the authors, Beth Akers and Matthew Chingos, have expertise in their fields of economics and government, respectively. They analyzed data from the reputable Survey of Consumer Finances, which adds credibility to their research. The purpose of the article is to present a different perspective on the student loan crisis, suggesting that the impact may not be as dire as some think. On the other hand, the second article, "The Far-Reaching Impact of the student debt crisis," is a recent blog post by Scholarship America, an organization known for its work in providing scholarships and financial aid resources. They have expertise in education and student finances, making them a credible source. The information in the post aligns with widely known facts about student loan debt and its impact on college graduates. Considering the currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose, both sources have their strengths. However, the second article may be more relevant and up-to-date since it's a recent blog post from an organization specializing in education and student finances.
Personally I would consider using both articles for my research paper on whether the United States should change the use of student loans to cover tuition costs. The first article, despite being a bit outdated, provides valuable insights into the student loan crisis and its impact. It offers concrete supporting materials and data from the Survey of Consumer Finances, making it a credible source. However, due to its age, it would be beneficial to supplement it with more recent sources to ensure the most up-to-date information. The second article, although lacking a clear publication date, is from a reputable organization, Scholarship America. It focuses on student loan debt and provides relevant information to support my research. However, it's important to verify the accuracy of the information since the publication date is unknown. By using both articles, I would be able to present a more comprehensive view of the topic, considering different perspectives and data.