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As of 2021, approximately 43 million Americans held student debt, with an average student loan balance of $37,105. In fact, Americans owe $1.71 trillion in total of student loan debt. The numbers are pretty shocking, to say the least.

Now, the sad part of owing federal student debt is the fact that a third of borrowers can’t keep up with it after just six years. With so much pressure building up, all this economic uncertainty, insane housing boom prices, it seems like many millennials and younger generations are stuck in a giant hamster wheel of hell. How did we end up here?

The screenshots below will shed light on the scope of the problem and how it’s basically impossible to pay off a student loan in the US. It may make your body temp soar, so if you’re already feeling on edge today, you may as well skip to the next article. And the brave ones, as well as the student debt survivors themselves, please scroll down below.

#1

Student Loans Put You Through College But Put You Through Debt For Much Longer!!

Student Loans Put You Through College But Put You Through Debt For Much Longer!!

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Luther von Wolfen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm in seminary right now, at age 52. I'll die in debt, but then I'll go to Heaven. Come get the money, jerks.

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#3

Brother-In-Laws Student Loan Statement. He’s Been Out Of College For 8 Years. How Do You Ever Get Out Of This?!?

Brother-In-Laws Student Loan Statement. He’s Been Out Of College For 8 Years. How Do You Ever Get Out Of This?!?

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the Netherlands they would be prosecuted for loan sharking, scamming and blackmail.

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The Federal Reserve estimates that in quarter two of 2021, Americans owed a startling $1.73 trillion in student loans. Despite a pause on federal student loan interest rates, the number marks a record-breaking amount and it increased 3% compared to quarter two of 2020.

WalletHub has recently compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 11 measures of indebtedness (such as average student debt totals) and earning opportunities (such as unemployment among recent college graduates). They managed to determine which states struggle the most with student debt.

#4

Yes, I Too, Love Paying Off Half My Student Loans. Or Be Able To Live Somewhere For Another 3 Months

Yes, I Too, Love Paying Off Half My Student Loans. Or Be Able To Live Somewhere For Another 3 Months

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Hexenfox
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My student loans were originally $14,000...I inherited $28k from one account and it was exactly enough to pay them off 16 years after graduation.

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#6

Paying Off Student Debt By Getting In A Car Accident

Paying Off Student Debt By Getting In A Car Accident

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Sunee Days
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad had to die a horrible death from kidney cancer in order to cancel out the Parent Plus Loan he took for my education. I did manage to pay off my student loans a couple of years ago, buy defaulting and getting my wages garnished. It sucked but it was a payment plan that seemed to work.

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It turned out that West Virginia is the state most impacted by student debt. The data showed that student loan borrowers from there face some of the worst ratios of student debt to income. Moreover, an astounding number of borrowers from the state are behind on their student loan payments. WalletHub data also found that New Hampshire is home to the second-worst student loan holders. The state has the highest average student debt totals and the highest proportion of students who currently have student debt.

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A 2020 report by The Institute for College Access and Success estimated that an average student debt total for New Hampshire residents in the college Class of 2019 is roughly $39,410, more than any other state.

#7

Imagine Having To Pay Off Your Mom’s Student Loan Debt In Literally Any Situation

Imagine Having To Pay Off Your Mom’s Student Loan Debt In Literally Any Situation

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#8

Found One In The Wild. Student Loans Make Even The Highly Paid Professions Painful

Found One In The Wild. Student Loans Make Even The Highly Paid Professions Painful

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The paradox of student loans is that higher education is supposed to improve our quality of life, granting access to high-quality jobs that provide greater stability, higher earnings, and critical benefits like health care and paid leave. This all turns out a distant dream after the student loan leaves many people wondering if it was even worth it.

It’s no secret that student debt has a profound impact on borrowers' lives and well-being. While many are not able to afford their monthly payments, those who make them usually have to make big sacrifices. For example, delaying home ownership, not starting a family and staying in unsatisfactory jobs. 

#10

A Man Risks Of Having Diabetic Complications Just To Save Money On Food And Pays Off Student Debt

A Man Risks Of Having Diabetic Complications Just To Save Money On Food And Pays Off Student Debt

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ZAPanda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TBH I have no idea how that is possible. He's spending about 50c/day on food. What does he eat? One breadroll? That's insane. That's literally below the internationally defined poverty line. Hectic.

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#11

Student Loan Debt

Student Loan Debt

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ZAPanda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Similar story with houses here. My house is about 133 000. I've paid so far about 66 000. I still owe 120 000, ie that 66 000 has eroded 13 000 usd debt. It's just to do with your repayment rate and your interest level.

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#12

Chop Off Your Hands To Pay Off Your Student Debt!

Chop Off Your Hands To Pay Off Your Student Debt!

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Susie Elle
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So you have to physically get hurt to be able to pay off a debt, man that's all kinds of messed up

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The burden of debt also takes a severe mental toll on borrowers. A 2021 mental health survey indicated 1 in 14 borrowers experienced suicidal ideation in response to the financial stress of student loans. Among borrowers who were unemployed or making less than $50,000 per year, this rate jumped to 1 in 8.

As of today, the Biden administration has canceled $9.5 billion in student loans for permanently disabled borrowers and those defrauded by for-profit institutions. Experts agree that this is a major step in the right direction; unfortunately, it’s very far from being enough.

#13

How To Pay Student Loans - By Money Experts

How To Pay Student Loans - By Money Experts

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Luther von Wolfen
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is literally selling a baby as a way to pay off one's debt. God bless America.

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#14

Student Loan Debt

Student Loan Debt

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kjorn
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why nobody are out in the street and shooting bank manager for that? no... you storm the capitol because your cult leader is angry

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#15

Sorry, You Can't Vote If You're 17 But You Can Still Take Out Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars In Predatory Student Loans

Sorry, You Can't Vote If You're 17 But You Can Still Take Out Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars In Predatory Student Loans

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#16

Student Loan Debt

Student Loan Debt

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Sowieso
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why don't people move out of America to study? I mean, it would be cheaper to come to my country, reside in student housing here, pay for all your meals, lodging and education. Still would come out a lot cheaper, and you would have a nice international experience.

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#17

Corporate America Now Encouraging Folks To Binge-Drink Their Way Out Of Student Debt

Corporate America Now Encouraging Folks To Binge-Drink Their Way Out Of Student Debt

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's funny that is says: "Post a video showing how you would celebrate paying off your student loans". Which means that they don't believe that anyone could actually do it. So they made a contest out of what people would do if they achieved something unreal like taming a dragon or finding the Fountain Of Youth. Which both are more likely to happen than people paying of their student debts.

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#18

Student Loan Debt

Student Loan Debt

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Cecilia Herrera
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I graduated in 1980, and paid off my student loan in ten years (at $60 dollars a month.) The rate of inflation for college tuition is a sin. How did it get to this?

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#19

Student Loan Debt

Student Loan Debt

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Viktor
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where did you get your loan from to accrue 20% interest in just 3 years? My wife has a loan from the UK's student loans company from around 2015 and it's only 1.1%. Also, her initial loan was about a quarter of yours but she pays around three times what you pay.

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#20

Student Loan Debt

Student Loan Debt

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Erika
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From which we learn the question is not "What math are the borrowers studying?" but "What math are the lenders studying?" When I took math, 0% interest multiplied out to 0 interest.

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#21

Want To Avoid Debt? Easy! Go To War!

Want To Avoid Debt? Easy! Go To War!

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#22

The American Student Loan Debt Starter Pack

The American Student Loan Debt Starter Pack

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M O'Connell
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean one day I will be able to afford a 1990 Olds Cutlass? That'd be pretty sweet.

#24

Yes, Be An Egg Donor To Pay Off Your Student Debt!

Yes, Be An Egg Donor To Pay Off Your Student Debt!

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#25

Wow

Wow

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Erika
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So I'm guessing this is not including nightclub or school or concert mass shootings?

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#26

Student Loan Debt

Student Loan Debt

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PandaGoPanda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What on earth is the student loan interest rate in the US?!! I thought the UK's was bad enough

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#27

Student Loan Debt

Student Loan Debt

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#29

Student Loan Debt

Student Loan Debt

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#30

For Our Non-American Friends Who Probably Wouldn't See This Targeted Ad, I Present To You A Profit Calculator On Student Loans From A Major Credit Card Company

For Our Non-American Friends Who Probably Wouldn't See This Targeted Ad, I Present To You A Profit Calculator On Student Loans From A Major Credit Card Company

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Mad Dragon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandmother died, and my sister and I split the inheritance my mom would have been given if she hadn’t died years ago. I gave my daughter the $7,000 from her estate. It will pay for possibly one year of in-state tuition for the local university. Thank you, Grandma, and thank you, Mom.

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Note: this post originally had 32 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.