The student is correct. The equity in the house is $30,000.
Equity is the market value of an asset minus any debts owed on it. In the given scenario, the value of the house is $315,000 and the amount owed on it is $285,000. To determine the equity, we subtract the amount owed from the value of the house:
$315,000 - $285,000 = $30,000
Therefore, the student is correct. The equity in the house is $30,000.