Gen Y is more likely than any other generation to carry studentloan debt, and 10% of Gen Y members are holding a hefty amount ofit – $30,000 or more.

That's according to the Western Union Payments Money Mindset Index survey's studentdebt data for the first quarter of 2012. Gen Y beat out Gen X andBaby Boomers in carrying the most student loan debt totalinganywhere from $1,000 to more than $30,000.

“The most surprising survey result is the amount of debt thatGen Y is accumulating,” said David Shapiro, senior vice presidentfor Western Union. “That speaks to our economic situation in termsof unemployment and how it is impacting students.

“When students do not have savings, or families with savings,and they recognize the value of a college education, they're goingto take on debt. Then when they come into the workforce, the resultcan be lingering debt.”

Another striking statistic from the survey, according toShapiro, is the rather high percentage of students who said they'replanning to move in with their parents after graduation due totheir student loan debt – 26%. A higher percentage, 34%, saidthey're planning to rent an apartment with roommates.

Western Union also found that 12% of female students and just 2%of male students said they believed they'd have no student loandebt or credit card debt as a result of their college educationwhen they graduated.

On a more positive note, 67% of students surveyed said they feelthey're educated about money management and understand the consequencesof debt.

Shapiro said in response to the survey results, credit unionscan take the opportunity to offer money management tools for theiryoung members.

“Education can come in different forms, and it might includehelping with budgeting and setting up recurring payments to ensurebills are paid on time,” he said. “All of these things are what Ithink the Gen Y consumer is looking for.”