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Student Debt
"While student loans are considered by many financial experts to be the best kind of debt, it is still debt. "
By Patrick Johnson
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Youth Radio’s Patrick Johnson is one of many young Americans who would like to see college costs contained. He graduated from Howard University three years ago, but he’s still strapped with massive college debt. Patrick reflects on his decision to take on so many loans.
The late Notorious B.I .G once rapped that black men have two career options, “either you’re slingin crack rock or you have a wicked jump shot.” This logic was later countered by indie rapper Murs, “You don't have to sell drugs or make the NBA/ It's easy to get a grant and get an MBA.”
I chose the route Murs suggested. I attended Howard University, got a degree and also the debt that came with it.
While student loans are considered by many financial experts to be the best kind of debt, it is still debt. This debt could follow me for the next thirty years or so. It will come up when I try to rent an apartment, buy a car and could even prevent me from being able to purchase a home.
As daunting as it is to owe as much as most teachers make in a year, I do not regret going to Howard. It was the only school I wanted to attend and I received a quality education. This however did not come without a cost. I am often left to ask will the debt I incurred ever allow me to progress?
And isn’t that why we went to school in the first place, to get ahead?
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