Debt-burdened graduates are putting off some of life’s big decisions like getting married, buying a home and starting a family. Student debt, which has ballooned to more than $1.3 trillion, is also derailing the retirement plans of baby boomers. This financial squeeze on students and their families has made college affordability and student debt important factors in this year’s presidential race. As another academic year wraps up, we’re taking a closer look at how debt-ridden millennials plan to vote in November.

According to a LinkedIn survey of students and recent graduates, 55% of millennials indicated that a presidential candidate’s plan on student loans will influence who gets their vote for the next president. Among those millennials who said yes, 47% identified as Democrats, and 11% as Republicans. Of all respondents, the influence was overwhelmingly higher among Democrats, with 75% saying it will influence their vote. The influence was also higher among respondents who currently have a student loan.

“One of my primary issues during this election cycle is student debt reform,” wrote Cody Christianson, a first-generation college student and recent graduate of Iowa State University. “Whoever has the best plan to reduce current debt and interest rates, and provides for a long term solution will get my vote.” (Read his post here.)

Hillary Clinton, who has earned enough delegates to clinch the Democratic nomination, has proposed a $350 billion plan that would enable students to attend four-year public colleges in their state without having to take out a loan. The plan would also provide free tuition for community college students.

Senator Bernie Sanders, who has yet to formally concede, has put forth a plan that goes even further. He wants college to be free, a plan estimated to cost $750 billion. Both Clinton and Sanders have said they would cut student loan interest rates and allow Americans to refinance their existing student debt.

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, hasn’t issued any formal policy plans on higher education. Here’s what he had to say though on college debt: “I’m going to look into colleges… We’re going to do something with regard to really smart financing.”

In his 2015 book Crippled America, Trump wrote, “These student loans are probably one of the only things that the government shouldn’t make money from and yet it does.”

Respondents to the survey, which was conducted during the presidential primaries, fell into polarized camps when it came to the candidate’s proposed plans––or lack thereof. Proponents of reform want to see the education and student loan system completely overhauled, and they believe Sanders is the guy to do it. They also support forgiveness for all current federal student loan debt.

“I want to prevent future generations from being unable to receive an education without crippling debt,” said Rachel Familiar, a 27-year-old chemist who has about $45,000 in student loan debt. “I voted for Bernie Sanders because he has the best [education] plan. Everyone will be able to go to school to get an education regardless of their socioeconomic status.”

Opponents expressed negative views of Sanders’ free-college plan, saying it’s not feasible. They’re also not in favor of heavy subsidies on education. Their main gripe was with the idea of having to pay for someone’s else's education.

“I believe an amnesty of student debt would be unfair to the hundreds of thousands of citizens who have either paid their loans off responsibly or those who took care in not selecting a school out of their price range,” said Jose Yumet, who dropped out of an out-of-state school because of costs. The 24-year-old eventually enrolled in community college and then transferred to Bridgewater State University where he graduated from in May — debt free.

LinkedIn members who took the survey and had more moderate views acknowledged that change is needed, but think reforms should be more gradual. Specifically, they agree with proposals to provide subsidies to groups such as low-income families, military personnel and government workers.

So, how should the next president address college debt? What should universities at every level do to make higher education more affordable? How should university leaders rethink the model of higher education? We’ve posed these questions to thought leaders and policy makers in education, university leaders, economists, students and more.

Join the conversation by writing a post using the hashtag #StudentDebt somewhere in the body.

Below is a roundup of posts authored by people tackling some of these questions. Stay tuned, as we’ll be highlighting posts tied to this topic in the coming weeks.

Husband, father and software developer Charles Eddy writes about the sacrifices he has made to get a degree and the painful repercussions of his more than $40,000 in debt.

Higher education columnist Jeffrey Selingo shares his personal experience with college loans and where the next president should start to fix the student debt crisis.

As college costs continue to spiral out of control, higher education economist Carlo Salerno offers some solutions for making college more affordable.

EdSurge senior editor Marguerite McNeal writes about the “vicious student debt cycle” being driven by college dropouts and why it’s bad for the economy.

Hollins University President Nancy Gray says the presidential candidates need to cut past the rhetoric and zero in on concrete plans for better educating America.

LinkedIn Survey Methodology:

The LinkedIn Online survey was conducted April 18-25, 2016 among 355 undergraduates and 330 recent graduates who graduated after 2006. All of them are LinkedIn members. Margins of error: +/- 6%