Both Rose and her husband earned their undergrad degrees (and now masters), yet the degrees came at a steep price: massive loans for tuition along with working 2–3 jobs during undergrad just to be able to afford the basics such as rent, food, etc. …

Kate McCartney is an athletic trainer from Pittsburgh, PA. She completed her undergraduate degree at Miami University in Ohio where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. Afterwards, she attended the University of Akron, receiving a Masters in Exercise Psychology. In total she amassed around $50,000 in…

Abigail Spence is a high school math teacher in Meridian, Mississippi. She pursued a master’s degree in the midst of dealing with a divorce that led her to take out several loans to pay for her courses. She knew there was a loan forgiveness program but didn’t really understand how…

James comes from a family of educators where his mothers worked as a teacher and administrator for over 40+ years. He is now a science teacher in Salisbury, Maryland. He studied environmental and marine science in college with the goal to become a marine biologist, but during his breaks back…

Gladys Acevedo is part of the Adjunct Faculty at Keene State College. She is a single mother with two children, who are now grown ups, who also went to school the same as she did. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to get the job and salary she was expecting when she…

Jen Peel went to school in D.C. at American University where her mom was able to help pay for school and she had only accumulated what she now sees as a small amount of debt. “I had about $11,000 [in debt] and it felt gigantic but it wasn’t bad.” Jen…

Daniel Bertram works in the greater St. Louis area as a dance, P.E. and health teacher. “This is my 4th full time year there and I love students. I love kids being successful in whatever they do and I love helping them develop their passions.” He successfully completed his undergraduate…

James is a High School Science Teacher in Lisbon, Maine where most of his debt comes from his graduate program, like many other teachers. …

Ben was working for a nonprofit in Portland when he discovered his passion for teaching. He was in his late 20s when he transitioned into the teaching profession but did not have a four year teaching degree. …