Divine Justice Hilliard, a 24-year-old college student and single parent, participated in a program that provided assistance for housing and childcare while she pursued her education. However, despite graduating, Hilliard now faces nearly $70,000 in student loan debt. As the deadline for the end of the US student debt repayment pause approaches, Hilliard worries about the possibility of being burdened with this debt for the rest of her life.
When Hilliard first heard about Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, she felt a glimmer of hope and signed up immediately. Some of her loans were taken out under both her and her mother’s names. Having worked from a young age, Hilliard experienced the hardships of being a parent, working, and studying all at once. Despite the challenges, she believed that getting a college degree was crucial in breaking the generational curse in her family. However, the weight of her debt makes her feel like she has taken steps backward instead of forward.
The expiration of the payment pause affects individuals like Hilliard, who had to balance parenting and college amidst intersecting economic crises, such as the rising costs of childcare and living expenses. Justice McNeil, a young parent in Pennsylvania, shares the same struggle. As a first-generation college student, McNeil worked multiple jobs throughout college to support her family, and now she considers taking on a third job to cover her loan payments. This would affect her ability to afford childcare and transportation costs, putting her in a difficult financial position.
Many individuals in similar situations cannot afford to prioritize their student loan payments due to basic necessities like housing taking precedence. Jessica Pelton, a 30-year-old in Michigan, explains that most of her debt is from expenses like rent and car insurance, not tuition fees. The prospect of student debt relief initially gave her hope, but now she faces the dilemma of fitting loan payments into her already stretched budget. The fear of having to sacrifice essential items or experiences looms over her.
According to Nicole Lynn Lewis, founder of Generation Hope, student parents are disproportionately affected by student debt, especially Black student parents. They hold more student debt than other racial or ethnic groups, highlighting the systemic disparities and historical lack of resources allocated to certain communities. The consequences extend beyond financial burdens, as supporting a family while pursuing higher education can also hinder graduation rates.
Brittani Williams, a higher education senior policy analyst, adds that the challenges faced by student parents go beyond earning a degree. Structural racism and sexism contribute to unequal pay, exacerbating the issues of debt and financial instability. Black women, who are more likely to be student parents, bear the highest burdens in terms of college costs and debt.
Lewis’s nonprofit, Generation Hope, aims to address these disparities by providing resources, financial aid support, and advocating for policy changes. The goal is to rectify the systemic wrongs that have impacted student parents for too long.
Joe Biden’s announcement of the Save plan and the calls from Democrats in Congress for further action on student debt demonstrate a growing recognition of the need for solutions. For Hilliard, the prospect of loan payments resuming is frightening. She dreams of owning a home and providing a better future for her daughter but fears that her credit and debt will hinder her plans. Any form of debt cancellation would feel like a lottery win for her, offering relief and the ability to invest in her daughter’s future.
Ultimately, the pursuit of higher education should open doors to better opportunities. However, the burden of student debt often makes individuals feel like they are moving backwards in life instead of progressing.
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