Student Loan Horror Story: A viral video highlights a 26-year-old with $90,000 in student debt paying a staggering 17% interest rate—and after years of $1,500/month payments, she owes more than the original amount.

Student loan debt in the U.S. has exploded, rising from $187 billion to $1.4 trillion since 1990, while college costs are up 420%, but starting wages for graduates have only risen about 10% in the same timeframe—barely keeping up with inflation.

College: Value, Costs & Alternatives:

While college can still offer social, networking, and life-skill advantages, its economic ROI is often questionable unless required for a licensed profession (medicine, law, etc).

Travis advocates for apprenticeships, gap years, internships, and real-world experience as superior options for most young people—letting them earn, learn, and avoid or minimize debt.

He notes how much of the “go to college” push comes from outdated beliefs, social status games, and pressure from parents seeking legacy or community standing—not just from what’s actually best for the student in today’s economy.

Why “Predatory Lending” Applies:

Most 17-year-olds can’t get a credit card, but can sign up for tens of thousands in college debt—often without understanding interest or repayment terms.

Student debt is uniquely punishing: it cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, and high rates or compound interest can quickly balloon balances, trapping young adults for decades.

Practical Advice for Young People & Parents:

Parents should help teens be ruthlessly honest about risk, debt, and career clarity before co-signing on massive loans.

Young people should:

Take a gap year to try different jobs or internships

Only consider college if a) the cost is manageable or b) a clear career path requires a degree

Use tools like ChatGPT or simple calculators to run interest/amortization scenarios—understand full cost of loans.

Seek real-world exposure in target fields before committing—many adults end up not using their major, making huge debts even less justifiable.

Big Takeaway:

The “American college pathway” is no longer one-size-fits-all. Life is long—choosing work experience, entrepreneurship, trades, or even pausing before college are often smarter risk/reward bets than saddling yourself with unpayable debt.

Recommended Actions:

Don’t take college-for-college’s-sake advice—research outcomes, run the numbers, and weigh costs.

Talk openly with teens about status, debt, and future regrets.

Use this episode and viral cautionary tales as starting points for family conversations before borrowing.

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