Graduating Jacksonville seniors look to offset college costs

Thousands of seniors are taking the stage to graduate from high school.

As students prepare for college, financial experts told us student-loan debt is higher than ever.

On Saturday, Bishop Kenney High School seniors celebrated their graduation with family and friends.

“It definitely paid off and I’m excited, you know, to start my next chapter of life,” said Jade King.

The next chapter for thousands of students is college and four years of paid education, which is expensive.

In fact, student-loan debt is the second-highest level of consumer debt in the United States behind mortgages.

But several students already have plans to help offset the cost.

“My mother got Florida Prepaid, so as long as I stay in state it helped us financially,” said Josh Miller.

According to Institute for College Access and Success, college graduates this year carry nearly $29,000 in student debt, on average.

“I’m hoping to get a job in college and help my dad out ... my dad is pretty much paying everything,” said Natali Yazgi.

Nearly seven in 10 college graduates this year have financed at least part of their education. For the third consecutive year, Duval County Public Schools have earned its highest rate in the district’s history.

More than 75 percent of its students are graduating, an increase of 2.6 percentage points over 2014, and a nearly 9 percentage point increase in the last three years.

Commencement ceremonies are scheduled to take place May 25 to 27 and June 6 to 10 at various locations throughout Jacksonville. For a complete list of graduation dates, times and locations, click here.

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