Member-only story
How I Feel About Student Loan Forgiveness as a 37-Year-Old Millennial With $40K in Debt
Three years ago, it was $52K
I attended high school in a small Texas town where almost no one went to college. My teachers saw my passion for education and encouraged me to go by whatever means necessary.
“All you need is a degree,” they said.
“Take out loans if you need to.”
“With a college degree, you can have a career. You’ll live a better life. You’ll be able to pay them off in no time.”
So, I did. And that is how I potentially locked myself into a lifetime of student loan debt.
Last week we learned there will be no student loan forgiveness
Honestly, I wasn’t surprised. I foresaw this last fall when states began suing. So, when I heard about the final outcome the other day, I was rather indifferent.
I have over $40 thousand dollars in student loan debt. My master’s degree is useless in the marketplace. I’m a mother and currently, my only source of income is the Medium Partner Program. All of this lets me qualify for an income-driven repayment plan at $0 a month. And apparently whatever balance I have left after 25 years goes away.
