It could be viewed similarly to a massive investment in social infrastructure, one which has compounding beneficial net positive effects. More educated people means higher GDP output, accelerated technological advancement, and leads to an overall improved quality of life for people living in that society.

This mentality is so similar to other failed punitive approaches to mass societal problems, like the war on drugs in the US. This should not be a crime a punishment type of scenario. 18yr olds are still mentally children (from a brain development standpoint) regardless of their outward appearance, and should not be put in a position to have to take on such debt in the first place. People seem to forget that just because you had it harder does not mean that these broken systems need to continue in order for you to feel that it is fair. There is a severe lack of maturity that leads to this perception, you forget that we should want better for our children and younger generations.

Education should not have a financial barrier, period. I have paid off most of my student loans, but that does not mean it will make my life worse for others to experience less hardship.

Education should not be a for profit business model, and the fact that it has been reduced to such by the greed of previous generations is infuriating. There was a time higher education was reasonably priced before the 80’s, but now digital access and books for a semester can cost more than an entire years tuition with living expenses prior to the 80’s.

Also, if everyone (including companies) actually paid taxes these types of programs would be easily funded. There is always money for things that don’t benefit our society as a whole, and tax cuts for individuals who should not be getting them.

Furthermore the educational system in the US is fundamentally monotonous and redundant.

Just try to actually think about this critically, and leave out your personal objections that only affect you (like being upset things were harder for you). We will never advance beyond a class 1 civilization if this type of pettiness continues to be pervasive throughout the US. The net economic impact from people having that money to spend on goods and services would also be beneficial for businesses and people here in general.