As the cost of attending college in the United States has skyrocketed, more and more students turn to government loans to help cover the costs.

New Jersey runs the largest state-based student loan program in the country, but critics say it imposes unusually severe rules and restrictions that amount to state-sponsored loan sharking.

ProPublica education reporter Annie Waldman looked into the agency that issues the loans and found that often times, borrowers couldn’t escape their loans even after they died.

Waldman told WNYC that these loans are different from other kinds because they “come with the power of the state.”

“Administrative wage garnishment, which means they can take wages away without going to court before you even default.  They can also deny you from getting your professional license or revoke your professional license … and they can even take away your lottery winnings,” Waldman said.

Waldman spoke to WNYC’s Jami Floyd.