Hey Tabitha, thanks for the article.
I too have paid off my school loans- some few years ago. It was tough, for sure, but I also recognize that I was awarded a certain amount of privilege after graduation, to have a job (thankfully) where I made enough money to really chip away at the principal on my loan. I don’t at all begrudge those who choose to only pay the minimum on their loans. After all, we never know anyone else’s true life circumstances until we walk a mile in their shoes. For me, I am very for loan forgiveness- just because I suffered through it doesn’t mean others should as well. Even as you stated, you made significant sacrifices to life experiences in the name of paying off your schooling- not travelling to Europe, not having the full college experience because you were working 3 jobs. If we could prevent others from having to miss out on those formative experiences by loan forgiveness wouldn’t that be worth it? I know for me I would gladly take on the burden via taxes if it means others have better access to higher education, and not have to endure financial hardships as a result.