(WEAU) La Crosse- Student debt may pose the next mortgage-style economic crisis, according to a report by the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

Student loan debt continues to rise, which has some experts predicting it could become a major economic threat.

Ben Axell, a senior at UW- La Crosse, owes the average in student loans, which is up 5% from the last year.

“I owe roughly around $25 to $30 thousand dollars in loans. I had to finance my education out of pocket,” said Axell.

He’s not the only one who’s got loans. Nicole Prigan, a junior, has also had to pay for all of her schooling.

“I try not to think about it. School is important, and my parents tell me not to worry about the money. But obviously everybody is going to worry about the loans they have, and the amount of debt they’re in,” said Prigan.

Prigan might be trying to avoid thinking about her loans but Ben has taken them head on.

“Do your home work, and a couple interest points can really save you some money,” said Axell.

With student loan debt topping U.S. credit card debt, students should know that talking to their financial adviser could make a big difference.

Terry Micks, a University Services Program Associate, works with students loans.

“The main thing is to not let it slide. Remember to work with your servicer to make a deferment, or an income based plan, or smaller payments if possible," said Micks.

Micks doesn’t think the problem will get as bad as the home market crisis, but she did say that loans tend to not be paid in a poor economy.

"With the economy the way it is and people unemployed, something has to give. Sometimes that’s unfortunately loan payments,” said Micks."

Micks also advised students to keep seeing their servicer after they have graduated to make sure they are always saving all the money they can.