About DebtSmarts

The Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt—known publicly as DebtSmarts—is a nonprofit collaboration of organizations and community partners committed to addressing the challenges of student debt in our state.

We are a nonpartisan coalition, which means we do not advocate for specific policies or political positions. Instead, our focus is on:

  • Increasing clarity around student debt, college affordability, and repayment options.

  • Sharing trusted insights to help Wisconsin borrowers make informed decisions.

  • Promoting outreach and resources that make borrowing and repayment easier to navigate.

Our ultimate goal is to improve financial outcomes for Wisconsin residents by making the student loan process more transparent and borrower-centered.

👉 Learn more about how we support students before college, during college, and after college.

Our Goals Are

  1. To increase understanding among Wisconsin policymakers and stakeholders of beneficial strategies and practices around student debt. We aim to share insights and resources that inform decision-making and improve financial outcomes for borrowers.

  2. To facilitate Wisconsin community-based financial counseling and workshops by working with community partners and financial counseling experts. These efforts connect reliable information and resources with the Wisconsin residents who need them most.

  3. To foster greater transparency and dialogue around the challenges and solutions for minimizing and managing student loan debt in Wisconsin. Explore our borrower resources: Before College, During College, and After College.

Everyone should have the opportunity to succeed!

Our Mission

Our mission is to positively impact the student debt landscape in Wisconsin by helping to facilitate a positive, borrower-centered higher education financing experience that will benefit everyone, especially those who are traditionally underserved by the existing financing system.  

Our Vision

  • We need to find ways to improve access and success in pursuing post-high school options.

  • We need to remove barriers to trusted information and resources.

  • Rather than being convoluted, the process of paying for college should function to propel students to a successful future.