How I Paid Off My Student Loans

Welcome to our new series about personal student loan repayment. We’ll be sharing how people got out of debt, whether it was through loan forgiveness, steady payments, or outside help. Submissions are written by readers, with edits made for clarity and editorial standards.

We’re looking for more stories like Megan’s. If you’d like to share how you paid off your student loans, email us at submissions@affordablecollegesonline.org.

I graduated with $35,000 in student loan debt, but I paid off about $3,000 before I graduated (total debt of about $38,000).

It took me 18 months to pay off my student loans.

I had a part-time job at Hy-Vee grocery store and searched for a job in my field (which was broad) for about 3-6 months. After countless interviews and no offers (which was heartbreaking and difficult), I got an additional part-time job at a restaurant. Within about 6-9 months, I got the option to become full-time at the grocery store. I took it and kept the restaurant job, working 14-16 hour days, 5-6 days per week. I became exhausted, but I was focused on my goal to pay off my student loans. I only made between $10 and $11 per hour.

After paying off my loans, I quit my full-time job at Hy-Vee and just worked at the restaurant, and I freelanced for some magazines, newspapers, and individuals. I then found a job in my field and have remained in that role.

I didn’t really have any expectations of going to college by family, but my high school had expectations of me attending college. My father has his bachelor’s in accounting, I think, and my mom either had her AA or just had some college credits.

I believe I had a mix of federal and private loans. I did not have any loans forgiven. I didn’t need to take advantage of the federal student loan forbearance program in 2020-2021. I did not have help paying off my loans.