EAST LANSING -- More and more college graduates are defaulting on their student loans. The national average is up to nearly 9 percent and Michigan is not far behind. Many blame the economy but what are schools doing to try to prevent students from falling into a financial crisis?

"Between my wife and I, we have about $60,000 in student debt," said Ben Johnson, a first year graduate student at Michigan State University. Ben has a 10 year plan but still feels like he's drowning in debt. And finding the money just to make the minimum payments can be a stretch.

"I think that's also why a lot of pepole are going to graduate school -- it's so hard to find a job and your loans still defer when you're in graduate school."

But for those who can't defer, many are defaulting.

"You've got all these wonderful kids coming out with their brand new degrees and they're not being able to find jobs," said Val Meyers, associate director of financial aid at MSU.

Based on 2009 statistics, the U.S. Department of Education reports that the national average default rate is at 8.8 percent. The state trails at 8.2 percent. At Michigan State, 50 percent of students borrow money and 3 percent default.

"The State of Michigan doesn't have a lot of gift aid anymore," said Meyers. "The federal government has put their level -- so you have to unfortunately make up more difference with loans."

Meyers says when students get out, many are either unemployed or under-employed and then forced to prioritize.

"What do you do? Do you pay those or try to pay rent or do you buy an interview suit?"

MSU's loan default rate has nearly doubled in a year's time and loan experts blame that in part on the economy. But they say one way to avoid a default is: Don't borrow more than you can afford.

"Some students will borrow and have no idea at the end of their degree program what they really have to pay back and we want to keep that infront of them," said Meyers.

Meyers adds that students can look into forbearance, deferment or even the federal government's new Income Based Repayment program, if they can't handle their student loans.

The university counsels students before they sign that promissory note, but until the economy turns around, it could be more of the same in years to come.

Defaulting on loans can mean irreversible damage to your credit score which can hurt your future borrowing opportunities. Financial advisers say if you're having trouble making payments, you should call your lender immediately to work out a new plan.