Stories by Marian Wang

Marian Wang is ProPublica's lead reporter-blogger. She previously worked for Mother Jones, where she spearheaded the magazine's social media strategy.

"Undergraduate Entering Fee"? How College Students Are Paying Ridiculous, Hidden Student Fees

Posted on: Apr 1, 2013, Source: ProPublica

Some colleges are increasingly hiding rising costs under "fees" in fear of raising tuition.

The Cruelty of Making a Grieving Father Wait Four Years to Settle His Dead Son's Debts

Posted on: Dec 28, 2012, Source: ProPublica

A California gardener lost his son and was saddled with a crushing debt. Four years later, he's finally reached a partial resolution.

How Financial Aid Letters Often Leave Students Confused and Misinformed

Posted on: Oct 23, 2012, Source: ProPublica

The Department of Education has a model financial aid award letter. It's very different from what schools are actually sending.

How the Gov’t Is Saddling Parents with College Loans They Can’t Possibly Afford

Posted on: Oct 7, 2012, Source: ProPublica, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Exposing the dangers of the so-called "Parent Plus" loans.

Banks' Lending Frenzy Left Borrowers Buried in Student Debt

Posted on: Jul 24, 2012, Source: ProPublica

Just like those who took out mortgages at the height of the market, private student loan borrowers are now suffering from the excesses of that period.

Grieving Father Struggles to Repay Dead Son's Massive Student Loans

Posted on: Jun 14, 2012, Source: ProPublica

Despite the help of a lawyer, he has not been able to determine exactly how much he owes, or even what company holds his loans.

Loan Service Companies Leave Student Borrowers in the Lurch

Posted on: May 7, 2012, Source: ProPublica

One million borrowers have discovered their federal student loans randomly transferred to new loan-serving companies -- and little about the transition has been smooth.

Debunking the Myth that Regulations on Big Business are "Job-Killers"

Posted on: Sep 22, 2011, Source: ProPublica

Experts say that no, regulations do not in fact destroy jobs--they shift jobs within the economy. So why do even Democrats repeat the Republican talking point?

The John Edwards Cheat Sheet: What Are the Facts, and Do They Make Him a Criminal?

Posted on: Jun 7, 2011, Source: ProPublica

It almost goes without saying that a sex scandal and lovechild splashed in the headlines would have hurt—if not derailed—Edwards’ campaign.

Budget Compromise Slashes Funds for Organizations That Help Poor Deal With Predatory Lending, Domestic Violence, Foreclosures

Posted on: May 16, 2011, Source: ProPublica

Providers of civil legal services to the poor are having to furlough their staff, triage their clients, and turn away more people in need.

Whistleblowers Claimed the FAA Let Southwest Keep Unsafe Planes In the Air

Posted on: Apr 5, 2011, Source: ProPublica

In 2008, the FAA faced criticism from investigators for acting too cozy with the airline industry -- in particular, with Southwest.

Why a Gruesome Pennsylvania Abortion Clinic Had Not Been Inspected for 17 Years

Posted on: Jan 24, 2011, Source: ProPublica

State health officials deliberately chose not to enforce laws giving abortion clinics the same level of care as other medical service providers.

Shameless: Drug Companies Hired Ghostwriters to Pose as Doctors

Posted on: Dec 2, 2010, Source: ProPublica

5 Ways Homeowners Are Victimized by Wrongful Bank Foreclosure

Posted on: Dec 1, 2010, Source: ProPublica

Many legal experts seem to agree: the so-called technicalities go to the heart of the American system of law and property rights.

Immigration Judges Dismissing Faulty Deportation Requests In Record Numbers

Posted on: Nov 15, 2010, Source: ProPublica

According to TRAC, judges have rejected removal orders for more than a quarter of a million individuals in the past five years.

Rampant Use of Private Contractors Means Less Transparency for TARP

Posted on: Oct 19, 2010, Source: ProPublica

The new report notes the U.S. Treasury’s awkward position of being both a regulator and a client of Fannie and Freddie

Are Some States Drugging Incarcerated Kids to Alter Their Behavior?

Posted on: Oct 6, 2010, Source: ProPublica

Despite the risks to the kids, adolescents in detention are being given antipsychotic drugs instead of counseling.

Watchdog Faults FBI for 'Factually Weak' Basis for Investigating Activists

Posted on: Sep 21, 2010, Source: ProPublica

A new report finds that activists--including a Quaker peace activist and a Catholic religious community--were placed on terrorism watchlists by the FBI.

Robert Rubin, Citi Execs Knew They Were Selling High-Priced Garbage but Got a Pass from Regulators

Posted on: Sep 13, 2010, Source: ProPublica

Citi got off with a slap of the hand, but Rubin and other execs weren't even held accountable.

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