“Dear Steve,
Recent law school graduate. Legal job at $10/hr, part time. $250,000 in loans (includes 4.5 years undergrad and 3 law school without any family assistance or preparation) accruing interest. Required monthly payments at just under $4500/month, can’t afford rent, gas, food, etc. Living tentatively with family. Hopeless and deeply, deeply scared. Waiting IBR request. Completely overwhelmed and desperate. Very desperate. What to do? Where to go? Dreams of being knifed at a soup kitchen with two degrees.
I am terrified of the seeming impossibility of paying my student loans. Not looking for a free ride but it just has become simply unmanageable. I have no idea what to do. I am desperate for help.
JM”
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Dear JM,
Unfortunately what you are living through is all too common these days among the lawyers that contact me.
If we start out with the premise that it is what it is then it appears there is some good news in that some of your loans must be subsidized and thus eligible for the Income Based Repayment Program.
Can you give me a breakdown on the government backed and private student loans amounts that you have?
Are you considering trying to find a job in public service?
Please post your responses and follow-up messages to me on this in the comments section below.
