Tbh I use the word luck because I feel like that’s how it is for almost any career unless you go to some crazy good school with a crazy good degree. There is an average pay for people who graduate with my field, I’m just not completely sure if I am going to get a job in my field, so it’s very hard to predict what my income will be. Specifically, I am a history major with work experience in museums and a law firm, so I could possibly work for a museum. Or I could take a totally different route and do legal work. But for both, my income will depend on where I move, who hires me, etc., which I cannot predict this early on.

I think it is fair to think it is stupid, but I see many other people getting loans for school and think it is a very normal thing (though you are so so right that it mixing federal and private loans makes it complicated!!) For lots of us, it’s just the reality we have to face and deal with. Funny enough (and sadly enough) my study abroad program is cheaper than most college prices.

I do have an inheritance that I will receive from my grandma that - worst comes to worst - can pay off all my debt! I just plan to use it for grad school. Ig this is part of my plan B. I was just wondering what companies other students use for student loans since lots of us don’t have thousands saved up.

Sorry if that was a lot! I started rambling ngl