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The student debt crisis has become one of the hot platform topics for candidates on the 2020 election circuit, but for the people it affects it is more than a campaign strategy. Tuition and fees at public and private schools rose at roughly three times the rate of inflation between 2007 and 2018, according to a College Board survey. Borrowers currently owe more than $1.5 trillion in student loans, an average of $34,000 per person.

The list below is a collection of tweets from people explaining how the U.S debt crisis evolved to this point or sharing their stories on how student debt has impacted their lives since graduating - and they may shock you or be sadly relatable.

#1

Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

zechareyah Report

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    #2

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    pnwLeftist Report

    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I totally understand. We started with nothing, but you are starting in a huge hole. Universities have priced themselves out. They are too expensive. We should offer more apprenticeship programs so you either pay nothing or get paid while learning your job.

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    #4

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    MattLaneWrites Report

    SAF saf
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This should be criminal, I don't understand why the politicians can't meet us half way on this. Why can't student loans be zero to super low interest rates. You pay back the $250k and call it settled (which is still alot' of money btw).

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    #6

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    Unknown Report

    Maci Mae
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm fourteen, and I really want to be a special education teacher when I'm an adult, which requires college. I want to have a job that I love, but I can't imagine being that much in debt. Any time I bring it up to an adult, I'm told that I'll "figure it out" or that "I shouldn't be worrying about that yet". But considering the situation my country is in, I probably should have started saving for college two years ago :(

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    #7

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    IdalinBobe Report

    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What kind of crazy interest rates are being charged on these loans?!

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    #8

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    missmayn Report

    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm Gen X. We hae ALL inherited the debts racked up by Boomers and the gutless politicians catering to them. They didn't pay it forward. They loaned it forward, with compound interest....

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    #9

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    architects4pete Report

    Peg Walton
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a retired professor, I strongly agree with this statement. It is terribly broken, from pre-K up to PhD. The American education system is completely broken.

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    #10

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    BillDixonish Report

    Kaisu
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's really f****d up, a 17-yo isn't mature enough to take such a huge loan and to understand the ramifications a loan like that has on your life. In my county you could never get that much student loan

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    #12

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    RosatiBiscotti Report

    Rue Granger
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can’t even start to believe the blame is being put on the victims...

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    #13

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    BernieSanders Report

    Peg Walton
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Must be nice to be one of the lucky ones. I went to college after raising my children and still ended up with $40,000+ in loans. Now my salary isn't enough to live and pay loans. Their "programs" do not help. Wish I had never gone to college. My Masters is worthless.

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    #14

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    sarra1833 Report

    Panda Kicki
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a swede with mostly free schools and low cost state loans to cover other expenses it is so horrifying to read all these tragedies :'(

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    #15

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    KendraJames_ Report

    Pamela24
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You should stop spoiling yourself and demanding luxuries. If you don't have the money to eat, just don't. It's as simple as that. *sarcasm - just to make sure*

    OWLbystarlight
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eating??? Why would anyone need to do that!? >:(

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    Vaughn Hyndman
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep hope you don't want to live near San Francisco! LOL I live right next to SFO ( airport, like literally planes alllll day and night ) and rent for a 1bd or studio is at least 1800, the houses in my neighborhood are not grand and are renting for 3,500-4,000 and selling between 899,000 and 1.4 million. Sucks if you just want to live where you grew up

    Daniel Fruciano
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My flight school loan payment is $901.77 a month. It's been 13 years and we have two payments left. My rate is tied to the Libor. Over the life of the loan, it's been as hight as 11% and as low as 3%. Oh, and before anyone gets all huffy about how much airline pilots make... When I started out, it was less than $25K a year.

    Richard
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eating is overrated. Welcome to America.

    SSG Behr
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Army provides more than just a paycheck and benefits. The Army offers other special pay allowances can allow you to secure financial freedom in your personal life. Speak with us today to learn more about what the Army can offer to you. https://www.facebook.com/ArmyRecruitingAnchorage/videos/2393097650787391/ #armycareer #careerchoices #futuresoldier #wehaveajobforthat #usarecdeft #Soldier #Soldiers #Military #Army #ArmyTeam #USArmy #Finance #FinancialSecurity

    Alyssa Cruz
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    didn't you know if you skip out on buying starbucks you could totally pay off your loans! *insert giant eye roll here*

    Kira Leseman
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So now everyone reply how much harder they have it and how much more they pay. Come on guys seriously it’s not a competition.

    Jon Payne
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How much longer do you plan on paying someone else’s mortgage/property tax?

    Taxation isTheft
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *Digs deep hole for self* -- THIS HOLE IS SO DEEP! HELP!

    Marcel Bennett
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Might need to drop the car, if you live in a city with a good transportation system and tough it out and push those payments towards your loans to help bring down the principal

    Max L.
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Id browse for a cheaper accomodation. Nice crib indeed anyway.

    Michelle
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where I live in California the rent for a room in someone else's house is $1,800 just for the room and no access to the kitchen or other amenities.

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    Mewton’s Third Paw
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    If you’re paying rent and already have a car note, why are you paying on your student loans? I have been deferring mine since I found out this was a thing. I definitely have the money to pay them all off in one payment but I won’t. Why would I? It won’t help my credit or do anything for me. This girl needs to stop paying.

    Kjorn
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Don't forget your iPhone. it's pretty expensive and yet most of the people have one. i have 3 kids. i makes choice. i choose to Don't get a phone… i even chose to Don't get the TV to be able to give my kids the best i can. of course they're things you need to have. but many Don't make that choice and keep some luxury

    Mewton’s Third Paw
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    A phone is like $400 once. That’s not going to help her situation. Also a phone isn’t a luxury.

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    Mike Parr
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Give up the car? Wait until later?

    Marco CCh
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Used cars are thing, also my rent is LITERALLY one fourth of this (I have two roommates, but live in a very spacious, very clean, very safe three person condo). Yes its unfair that you have to pay so much in student loans, but there are ways to do it and still eat. Why would you buy a new car and pile debt when you are already buried in it? You can get a very decent working car for around $2000.

    Colin Leetham
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Decent working car for around $2000" assumes a lot about where one lives. Also, count on needing $1200 in repairs every one or two years. In Seattle studio apartments go for around $1k per month.

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    Ian Smith
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Not to invite hate, but $229 seems a bit high for a monthly auto loan. What is she driving?

    lazy panda
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not high at all. I'm a banker and $229 is one of the lower numbers I've seen. Hell, I've had people get auto loans with $500 payments.

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    Kaisu
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    That's a pretty expensive apartment you live in, definitely won't help with thy situation

    Cobaltqube
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All rent in California is that price or higher. I know someone paying 2500 a month for a studio in silicon valley.

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    #16

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    AbdulElSayed Report

    Jeff Christensen
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Australia university was free until 1988, but now it is paid for by Government loans - but repaymemts don't start until your income is over a certain threshold. If you never reach that threshold, you never repay the debt.

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    #17

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    astradisastra Report

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    #18

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    KingBeysQueen Report

    Pamela24
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just can't understand why AT LEAST the loans couldn't be without interest. I believe that is how the UK has it (correct me if I'm wrong, please).

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    #19

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    DebtCrisisOrg Report

    Ahmad Pujianto
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just wow.. I only pay 25 USD each month during 4 year of college.. Then (because I work while studying) another 50 USD each year for 2 year of extention.. Totally I spend around 20 Million IDR (around 1.500 USD) till graduate.. #asian

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    #20

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    oneangrytooth Report

    Candice Lewis
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With interest it could become that much and the sucky thing is our children will probably be responsible for some of it

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    #22

    30 Alarming Posts About How The Student Debt System Affects People's Lives And It's Terrible

    LethalArcher Report

    Mewton’s Third Paw
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What in the entire f**k. The pettiness. Pettiness of this level can only come from the mega rich.

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    #23

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    kph3k Report

    #24

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    stevebram Report

    Monica Michelle
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    There are 2 types of people who are wronged those that say never again to noone else and those who stop progress because it does not help them personally

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    #25

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    SeeMiaRoll Report

    Belinda Matson
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMFG I'm surprised boomers aren't being slaughtered en masse in the USA. Pro Tip: Start with the politicians...

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    #26

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    catnipslip420 Report

    Ivo H
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's terryfing that someone has reason to write "i did a terrible thing" because he studied for a job he wanted to do. Not everyone likes to be doctor/lawyer/whatever just to pay off his or hers loans.

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    #27

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    SFWP Report

    Missy Barton
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I officially paid off my student loans four years ago. Want to know how? My husband died.

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    #28

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    Champion76 Report

    Cassie
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If your payments are income based, your (compounded) interest will continue to accrue, which means your loan amount will be more when it's forgiven than when it was initiated. The government could have saved money by just paying for the tuition in the first place.

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    #29

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    TheStarDamien Report

    guy greej
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From malawi a third world country. Paid of my university degree debt in 1 month after getting a job.

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    #30

    Student-Debt-Crisis-Posts

    odesit85 Report

    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's supposed to be a joke, right? She didn't pay it off, her mother basically did!

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