Investing in Human Capital: A Capital Markets Approach to Student Funding

by Miguel Palacios Lleras, Nicholas Barr (Foreword)

This study recommends employing "human capital contracts" wherein students agree to pay a percentage of their income over time in exchange for funds to finance their education. The main difference between "human capital contracts" and loans is the variable value of the payments students make during the repayment period. Their financial consequences, of risk transfer from students to investors and increased information regarding future graduates' earnings, make the contracts an attractive alternative in funding higher education.

252 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2004