There’s a simple way to avoid or reduce college loan debt, attend a community college. Mission College is low priced and now offers a financial incentive to local high school graduates who attend. This assistance is not a loan, there’s no repayment obligation. If enrolled you can obtain unlimited VTA transit for only $11 a semester.
On a larger scale, what would happen if the government stopped assisting student loans? Would the reduction in buyers (potential students) cause the merchants (colleges and universities) to reduce their price (tuition)?