More than 350,000 Californians are now behind on their student loan payments — the highest delinquency rate for any type of debt in over two decades, according to the California Policy Lab .

It’s also the highest rate of delinquencies that UC Berkeley California Policy Lab executive director Evan White said he’s seen in the data “for any credit product, including student loans, auto loans, mortgage loans, credit cards” since 2004.

The missed payments are a symptom of a financial safety net that was already frayed before the COVID-19 pandemic greatly disrupted loan repayments. And now, that safety net is unravelling as borrowers face higher bills , fewer repayment options and limited eligibility for loan forgiveness programs amid a system that even experts call confusing.

“The fe

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