For years, Patricia M. wondered if she would ever get out from under her student loan debt. After borrowing for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, she returned to Texas and built a career in public service. But despite working and making payments, her student loan balance remained a source of constant stress.
“The interest was bonkers,” Patricia recalled. “I wasn’t even paying toward the principal.”
The debt affected more than her finances. It weighed on her future and left her feeling as though she was carrying the burden on her own. She knew the loans would eventually be paid off, but she wasn’t sure when that day would come.
Then, on her drive to work through San Antonio, Patricia began noticing the My Education Solutions (MES) office. Eventually, she decided to walk in and get some help.
Finding Clarity and Someone to Trust
Patricia met with Sabrina at MES, hoping to find guidance and a better understanding of her options. Like many borrowers, she found the student loan system difficult to understand, particularly after graduating and losing access to the financial aid resources available through her school.
“The process is purposely opaque, so having someone to help you navigate is incredibly helpful,” she said.
What Patricia didn’t realize was that the right guidance could change everything. After reviewing her loan history and researching her repayment plan, Sabrina discovered that Patricia had already made the 120 qualifying payments needed for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Although Patricia’s payment count showed only 70, 50 additional payments had not been credited.
MES worked with Patricia and her former employer to document the missing payments and help her receive the credit she had earned. Over approximately six months, that work led to an extraordinary outcome: forgiveness of $145,686.59 in student loan debt.
When Sabrina called Patricia at work with the news, the weight of years of worry began to lift.
“To hear they were forgiven was incredibly liberating,” Patricia said. “I think I cried with my colleagues.”
She also received a $747.42 refund from the federal government for previously overpaid interest.
More Than Debt Relief
For Patricia, the outcome meant more than seeing a massive loan balance disappear. It meant being able to look toward the future with a new sense of freedom. It also opened the door to filing taxes jointly with her husband, something they had avoided while she was managing her student loans.
Just as important was the experience of having someone in her corner.
“Having that kind of knowledge and insight is incredibly grounding emotionally,” Patricia explained. “I felt safe. I could trust they would help me, and they knew what they were doing.”
She described the relief of knowing someone could take the reins, investigate her situation and explain what was happening. She no longer had to carry the stress alone.
“I’m so incredibly grateful,” she said. “I knew it would end eventually, but I didn’t think it would be that soon.”
Patricia encourages other borrowers who feel overwhelmed by their balances or unsure of their options to seek help, even if they simply have questions. Sometimes, understanding where you stand is the first step toward finding a way forward.
After years of trying to make sense of a complicated system, Patricia found answers, support and a future that looked a little brighter. Her experience is a reminder that borrowers don’t have to figure everything out on their own.
If you’re struggling with student loan debt or aren’t sure whether you qualify for forgiveness, My Education Solutions can help you understand your options and take the next step with greater confidence.
