I left grad school with a PhD and $73,000 in debt.  Got a good job at a public university where I work 60+ hours a week  teaching low income and first generation college students.  I could only make small monthly payments to loan debt because I had two children in daycare.  In July/August of 2012 I came up with (borrowed) $1200 to keep the loan out of default. Three weeks later they defaulted the loan.  Now, with interest and fees, only 6 years after I completed my degree, I owe $97,000!!!  I wept on the phone.  Feel completely crushed.  How will I ever afford to send my own children to college?