Students prepare to deal with student debt as graduation approaches

By Maven Mcgregory

Renea Bruce, a junior social work major at Trevecca, is already making $160 monthly student loan payments—a rare move among college students, but one inspired by her father’s advice to tackle debt before it becomes overwhelming.

In a world where most students graduate with debt, Bruce is choosing to face it early. 

Kevin Reed, director of student financial services, said he doesn’t have information on what percentage of college students leave Trevecca with student loan debt, but according to Forbes, more than half of all college students leave college with debt. 

According to Forbes, Americans owe $1.75 trillion in student loans, with the average borrower carrying $28,950 in debt. About 92% of that is federal, while the rest comes from private lenders. Over half of students at four-year institutions take out loans—55% at public colleges and 57% at private nonprofit schools. Meanwhile, tuition has more than doubled at public colleges, and private school costs have climbed to nearly $38,070 per year.

Trevecca’s tuition is about $31,300—below the national private average of $47,890, but still enough to leave many students relying on loans. Trevecca, however, actively works to make education more affordable. 

According to Reed, 100 percent of full-time undergraduates receive grants and or scholarship aid.

Bruce was one of them, receiving a scholarship that helped with her balance, but she still needed some loans to cover the difference.. 

“My dad probably a year and a half ago said, ‘I think we’re gonna go ahead and start having you pay student loans monthly.’ And I was like, ‘Okay, I can afford that,” said Bruce 

It wasn’t until the conversation with her father that it clicked.

 “I said absolutely, why wouldn’t I start paying on my debt now,” said Bruce

Now, she views those monthly payments as more than a financial obligation, they’ve become a habit.

“Trevecca will give me a refund, I typically put it towards my student loans. I don’t keep that money,” said Bruce 

Debt isn’t just about future payments, it’s a daily burden that impacts how students live, learn, and take care of themselves and it can negatively impact mental health, routines, and overall well-being.

 “It’s something that is lingering on their mind, especially when it gets closer to graduation,” said Brittney Jerkins, intern at Trevecca’s Counseling Center. “There’s always that constant in the back of their mind of them thinking they may not have the means to take care of themselves because of all the debt they have.”

These pressures add another layer to the stress they’re already carrying from academics, job demands, and personal challenges. 

Some students are forced to prioritize survival over self-care, which leaves a lasting impact. 

“Many students say because of all this debt, I may not be able to go to counseling as regularly because that money could be used to work on groceries or gas,” said Jerkins 

According to James Agee, professor of business administration at Trevecca Nazarene University, one of the biggest issues that students don’t fully understand is the amount of debt they’re taking on. 

“It’s not the debt, but how much debt you take on,” said Agee. 

Agee urges students to set financial goals for their future.

“Know what you want to accomplish, think about your future self, and take steps now. Financial freedom doesn’t necessarily mean being wealthy or rich. It means spending a little less than you make. The point is—you won’t have a lot of stresses, even though your income isn’t large,” he said.

Reed also encourages students to avoid other kinds of debt while in college. 

“I encourage every student to not put yourself in credit card debt to pay things off, make a budget because college students will have other expenses outside of just paying for school, and make a reasonable plan based on your expenses,” said Reed. 

Academic and need-based scholarships help students, but maintaining a certain GPA is essential to keep them. 

“If their GPA is low, then they don’t get to pick up additional scholarships because their GPA isn’t high enough. We love to see the positive—more money, the higher the GPA,” said Reed.

Trevecca requires every student to take a financial stewardship course, not to make them experts, but to provide them with the tools and knowledge needed to manage their finances effectively. 

“I really try to get my financial  stewardship students to think about their job, their lifestyle, their expenses, and their future selves,” said Agee 

 For Bruce, paying early means less stress later, and more importantly, a sense of control in a season where many students feel overwhelmed.

 “I choose not to think about it. The more I think about it, the more stress it causes for me,” said Bruce, “To reduce anxiety, I continue my daily activities of going to work, class, and doing my small business— nails.”

She encourages students to reach out to a trusted source when facing financial struggles. 

 “For me, it was my dad,” said Bruce.