Thursday, March 11, 2010

In the raw: Saddest quote of the day from my Facebook page



Ms. V. N. M. said this today, "When my husband died, I decided to go back to school at age 38; I thought a college degree was the best way to secure a job that would support my daughter. Despite my love of education, I made the wrong choice. I couldn't afford it then, and these loans will follow me for the rest of my life. I would have needed to start at double my salary to be able to make the payments and live somewhat comfortably. Now, having been laid off, recurring paperwork allows me to forbear payments, but the interest has accumulated enormously. It's discouraging to realize I was foolish enough to buy into the whole thing."

I sincerely hope that Ms.V.N.M has not been forgotten by this Administration. She is, sadly, one example out of millions of people who feel forgotten and abandoned by my beloved country. Moreover, I have always come to you (Mr. President) with an extended olive branch (even when I have been harshly critical), so I urge you to listen to these voices - our voices - and not just those who are telling you to focus on current and "prospective students."

You ought to help Ms. V.N.M. She and the millions of others who comprise the indentured educated class are not a "moral hazard." (My hunch is that you're getting a lot of that hogwash talk from your people in the White House).

Please, please listen to our pleas for help, Mr. President and Mr. Rodriquez.

5 comments:

Tim Lacy said...

She needs to see about the IBR program. It seems like it might help her. ...But yes, sad. - TL

Rhonda K. Donaldson said...

The sad part about the IBR program is that it doesn't help everyone. But it is always good to check into it. I am one of the unfortunate ones that IBR cannot help.

Ms. V.N.M. you are not alone...

Veronica said...

Tim, can you tell me what IBR stands for? I'll look it up. Thanks. Veronica

Anonymous said...

Sadly IBR will do nothing for her IF she has private student loans. I was just talking to some friends of mine who have private loans & it looks right now like they'll have to stay in college until the day they die because they can't afford the loan payments & the lenders will not work with them at all. Being in college defers payments but they accrue interest so the balance keeps growing. They may never be out from under these lenders if this is allowed to continue. There are so many of us like this. They have IBR for federal loans I think it's time to worry about PRIVATE loans, these lenders are ruining people's lives.

Ms. V.N.M. I feel for you, I regret going to college, too.

Spekkio said...

^Income-Based Repayment.