i guess i'll die then :)

"Default is a dead end and not what college dreams are made of."

I took the exit loan counseling, and I imagine this snide, snarky guy smiling to himself as he wrote out that line. And then, of course, there's the list of how one may qualify for loan forgiveness and cancellation:

•If you are a teacher or child-care worker who qualifies for Stafford loan forgiveness.
•If you qualify for loan repayment benefits for certain military personnel.
•If you are a volunteer in programs under the National Service Trust Act of 1993 (AmeriCorps) and qualify for an education award to help repay your Stafford loans.
•If you die.
•If you meet federal requirements for total and permanent disability.
•If you prove undue hardship in an adversary proceeding in a bankruptcy court.
•If you are unable to complete your studies because your school closes, or your school falsely certified your eligibility for a loan or failed to make a refund owed to your lender.

Isn't it great? I'm glad it's true, but I just love how it comes off, stuck in the middle like that and so much shorter than the rest. Thank you, loan corporations, for not haunting us in our graves. Although that may make an excellent slasher movie of sorts...

When I think more, it gets both more silly and serious. Consider this: if you want Christ's forgiveness, just accept it, he died for you; but if you want loan forgiveness, die. (Among other things). It's a funny comparison, but then there's a certain power to it. However much of a stretch, it reminds me again about how we have to to ourselves. Thank you, loan counselor, for the reminder. Die, self! Fear not those school loans, nor serve the god, mamon, of money! [Really wish I had a foam sword now to wave dramatically]

Seriously, though, I think this struggle not to let practical concerns rule me is the hardest thing for me right now...on top of figuring out what I am good at and what I want to do and what I should do. Oh, life. You so silly! If our snide and snarky friend is right saying dead ends are NOT what college dreams are made out of, than what ARE our dreams made out of?

Besides sugar plum fairies and poor little sheep...