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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

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Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American Capitalism: Government of the rich, by the rich, for the rich.

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Jennifer McDaniel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s really sad I graduated from school as a MA - decided that wasn’t enough and went back for Nursing, while I’m school I was diagnosed with leukemia, I couldn’t afford paying the student loans ! They deferred the payment and I also had a hardship But when all was said in done, I had a 13 thousand dollar loan turn into now 16 thousand dollar loan - they told not to worry it would all be ok ! Not only did they up the loan they put me in collections for it !! Even after I supplied them with all my Medical information to show I had leukemia they had also requested it from me not once but like 10 times !! Nothing like knocking you while your down! I’m not sure what’s happened to this world. But it’s a real shame the younger generation has to carry such. Burden ! I know that feeling because I’m widowed and was trying to make a better life for my self and kids !! Go figure ! That will teach me to try to better my self !

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elfin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This doesn't just hurt the individual students--it is bad for the economy. Young people who might otherwise be forming households and raising children are off to a bad start economically because of their debts. Fewer people establishing households really cuts down on house purchases and items for houses.

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Rich McCormick
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I HATE Capitalism ... at least TODAY'S Capitalism. It's more like Criminalism! :-(

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Martt Koski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The US Govt. now runs the student loans. And as for a few years now.As always read the contract/loan before signing.

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Myra Gifford
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At 50 I became disabled at my nursing job. I went back to school to train for a new career. I graduated from a private college at age 55 with $75,000 student loan debt. After 12 years, I now owe $145,000--the debt has doubled! I'm 68 years old, and on SSA, and they are attaching my SSA checks! I will die before they see that money! Not to mention that my credit is s**t because my "debt-to-income" is too high! Senior living in poverty, thank you!

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Veronica Schlett
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is some sore of math that is not taught in any college. It is like signing up for a life sentence

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Donna Elmore
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn’t take out one student loan....Most students are in debit from their own doings...You don’t have to go to a D1 school to get a good education. You don’t have to go out of state to get a good education. You don’t need a new vehicle while attending college. A college bill is no different than paying the rent, utilities, car payment, etc...Stop looking for a hand out....There are lots of things that need to change about education in this country. But if you have a college debit pay it...Don’t expect the government to wipe it clean. The government fund is made up of people that pay taxes in the country. Too many people want handouts from the fund as it stands. Be accountable for your actions......If you can afford to give a hand up to someone do your part but don’t expect anything from the government fund unless it helps the entire country....Too many people don’t even know the basics of life....How many kids know how to cut grass? How many kids know the basics of cooking etc

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Farid Akhter
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We are living in a sick society - [Greed Breed Disaster] People in Power do Corruption, Power holder - Grabber, Polluters and Most of the Leader Deaf, Dumb and Blind to her/his own Corruption Only the Solution - Stop the Consumption Addiction Corruption Created Consumption Addiction that Promoted Pollution and Disaster for the Nation. All ethics/religion/moral says money must be shared - The modern financial system says opposite, Maximize Consumption Glorify Greed - Consumption is God, malls are temple, salesman high priest and admen evangelists https://www.facebook.com/sasraiMovement.2004

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Ian Mair
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Classic debt slavery. Sink people or sink whole nations with the game of interest. Despicable.

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Tom Johnson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The difference is that the banks had leverage. If they died, everyone did. Student loans are designed so that you never die, you live in certain servitude, never succeeding until you are 20+ years down the road and playing catch up to middle class life... maybe.

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Jennifer Phillips De la Vega
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I graduated undergrad with $18,000 in loans at age 41. Was exempt in grad school and didn't make enough to make any payments for many years, except for one year, which I made payments. I guess soon I'll be paying again. Interest has accrued into principal and now I owe almost $63,000. I worry worry worry about this. At 57, I'll never pay it off. Do not be quick to judge.

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Jamie Lynn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It sucks. I graduated 16 years ago and haven't been able to afford to pay anything with the cost of living, rent, medical, bills in general, that and our "financial aid" officer f****d over a bunch of us. And our school closed last year. Fing BS. Have your kids go into the trade. F college. I wish I had never gone. The stress is not worth it.

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Anna-Lisa Souers
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In 1988 ASUs Tuition was about 2k a year, now a 4 year can reach 100K with program fees and extras..... unfortunately they don’t care how they get their money or their funding. Nor how they screw up peoples lives forever with student loans, and even after graduation the alumni Association are relentless in seeking even more cash.. It’s such a sickening thing to know that The state university president and all of the cronies mega millions a year. Check out this story on azcentral.com: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2019/09/20/arizona-state-university-gets-approval-4-big-construction-projects/2380462001/

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Cater Cater
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

URGENT LOAN OFFER AT A LOW INTEREST RATE APPLY NOW Dear applicants for loans. We are legit loan lender that offer loan to people who are in need of Loan you can also contact us on our whatsapp number now +2348073216638 thank you

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Dan Robison
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

would it kill you to get a job and pay off the debt that you willing incurred?

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Dan Robison
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stranger Scholar Get a job, quit begging for money from the American tax payer that worked for their money. You would think a scholar would know that.

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Jenny Bassett
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't mean to whine, here, because my life is good and others have it much worse. Here's my reality, though. I finished school with somewhere around $200,000 debt. I did not have the income to make the payments required and was left with the option to make "good faith" payments, which did not act as a payment on the loan but kept them from taking everything I own. Now, I owe around $700,000. I am making the payments and expect to have it paid off when I'm in my early 70s.

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Jenny Bassett
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In general, I believe in "You borrowed it, you pay it back." Clearly, however, there are aspects of the student loan business that are out of control.

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Markie Rearick
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Has no one heard of FAFSA? I graduated school with $36,000 in debt. I got a degree I knew would pay well. I lived at home for a year, I bought a cheap car, paid the car off in two year, moved into an apartment below my means. I paid off my debt in 5 years while my husband and I lived off only my income while he was in grad school. It's possible.

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John Foster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I expect college students to be smart enough not to borrow more than they can expect to pay back.

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D H
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ummmm..... if wall street collapsed, the US economy would collapse followed by pretty much of the world economy......

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Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
4 years ago

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You really don't understand capitalism or free markets do you? You think corporate welfare is capitalism? Let me guess...you voted for Trump, didn't you. You are brazen with your stupidity. Shut up. Read a f*****g book. God. How many jibbering morons are there in this world?

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Donna H.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IF YOU DIDN'T WANT TO PAY THE LOANS YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE SIGNED FOR THEM!! GROW UP!!! IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GOVERNMENT, BUT EVERYTHING TO DO WITH YOUR OWN CHOICE TO GO INTO DEBT. DO YOU ALSO EXPECT A FREE HOUSE, CAR, GAS, AND JOB??? GET A GRIP ON REAL LIFE; I SUPPOSE YOU EXPECT CREDIT CARDS TO FORGIVE YOUR CHARGES TOO? PULL UP YOUR PANTS, WORK HARD, AND SPEND ONLY ON ABSOLUTE ESSENTIALS, EAT AT HOME NOT OUT, TAKE TWO JOBS EVEN; MY DAD WORKED THREE JOBS TO SAVE MONEY TO START HIS BUSINESS, WHY SHOULD WE EXPECT TO DO LESS?? USE A SECONDHAND PHONE, SHOP AT GOODWILL, SELL STUFF YOU DON'T USE. DON'T BLAME OTHERS FOR WHAT YOU DID TO YOURSELF!!!!!!!

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Tom Johnson
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your dad died in the 70s. Things haven't worked that way for decades. If you would do a bit of math, read a book about budgeting, and learn about turning off the caps lock, you would understand despite your boomer brain that 3 entry level jobs and eating at home is still not enough to pay for the basic essentials and have enough capital to start a business anywhere but out of the back of your car.

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moeless
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you sign a contract you don't understand, that is on YOU.

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George Hall
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know, no one forced you take out student loans. You very willingly signed a contract saying you would pay it back with interest. Student debt is the fault of the student

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Elaine Kimberley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had student debt of over 100K. I PAID IT OFF. I worked, and I saved and every spare dime went to pay. Now I am clear and can buy things I need, and travel. Suck it up.

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#2

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jamie1707
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel so bad for these young men and women. It's not f*****g fair! Starting your life with that much debt must be soul crushing. I feel so bad because when I finished grad school, I had $213 in my checking account and the only debt I had was to the electric company for $13. I wish there was something I could do for these kids.

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SAF saf
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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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Maci Mae
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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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Leo Domitrix
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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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Peg Walton
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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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Peg Walton
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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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Panda Kicki
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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

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Pamela24
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated 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*

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Jeff Christensen
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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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Pamela24
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated 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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Ahmad Pujianto
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated 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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Candice Lewis
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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

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Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated 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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Monica Michelle
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4 years ago

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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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Belinda Matson
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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

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Ivo H
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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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Missy Barton
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated 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

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Cassie
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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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guy greej
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4 years ago DotsCreated 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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Martha Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated 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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