Louisville Office of Financial Empowerment and Protect Borrowers Reveal Data on Nearly 215,000 Louisville Borrowers with $8.2 Billion in Student Debt
November 5, 2025 | LOUISVILLE, KY — Today, the Louisville Office of Financial Empowerment and Protect Borrowers gathered community members, borrowers, and local officials for two student debt roundtables. Community members and advocates worked with local officials on ways they can engage at the local and state levels to protect the 213,964 student loan borrowers in Louisville alone.
The roundtables come as borrowers in Louisville—and across Kentucky—face economic hardship and an impending student loan default crisis, the Trump Administration’s new rule restricting Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and widespread chaos across the student loan landscape. The student debt crisis has left Louisville borrowers with a total of $8.2 billion in student loans and an average balance of more than $38,000 per borrower. A full fact sheet on student debt in Louisville, Kentucky is available here.
“More than 600,000 Kentuckians have student loan debt, and recent changes have left many confused and anxious. The Office of Financial Empowerment is bringing borrowers together to talk through updates, frustrations of reaching loan servicers for support, and where to find free, trusted help,” said Ce Garrison, Local Government Manager.
“The Trump Administration keeps pulling the rug out from under student loan borrowers. It is essential that those working closely with constituents at local levels understand how dire the current situation is for working families with student debt,” said Amy Czulada, Outreach and Advocacy Manager for Protect Borrowers. “Advocates and elected officials have a pivotal role to play in protecting borrowers as well as helping them solve complex issues. Organizations like the Louisville Office of Financial Empowerment are helping take the lead.”
Experts also provided critical information about how borrowers can access cancellation programs like Income-Driven Repayment and PSLF, and steps borrowers can take to avoid the devastating consequences of default and delinquency.
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About the Louisville Office of Financial Empowerment
The Louisville Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) focuses on equipping residents with the knowledge, skills, and access they need to achieve greater financial security. OFE’s programs include financial education and counseling, access to safe and affordable banking services and products, savings for college, free tax prep services, and more. Our Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), a partnership between the OFE and the Louisville Urban League, offers trusted, free financial counseling to all residents, including assistance with student loan debt. To schedule an in-person, virtual, or phone appointment, click here, call 502-574-5789, or email fec@louisvilleky.gov.
About Protect Borrowers
Protect Borrowers (formerly Student Borrower Protection Center) is a nonprofit organization led by a team of experts, lawyers, and advocates fighting to build an economy where debt doesn’t limit opportunity. We investigate financial abuses, take predatory companies to court, and push for policies to protect working people from debt traps. We aim to deliver immediate relief to families while building power, driving systemic change, and fighting for racial and economic justice.
Learn more at protectborrowers.org or follow us on social @BorrowerJustice.