After making 40 student loan payments, their total loan balance increased by $6.

Basically, it’s hard out here, and student loans aren’t helping.

In fact, bloated interest rates are arguably making things worse.

A group of people at a protest, with a man in the front holding a "Cancel Student Debt" sign from NAACP. Other signs and NAACP T-shirts are visible in the crowd

Now their monthly payments are three times as much.

13.This person paid off their loans!

It only took them 20 years.

The image shows a payment summary with a total of $156.00, recent payment date of 10/23/23, posted date of 10/24/23, $1.56 applied to principal, and $154.44 interest

You know, like a quarter of their entire life.

16.After making 40 student loan payments, this person’s balance went up $6.

17.This person’s interest goes up by about 370, despite their monthly payments being 309.

A screenshot of a financial summary showing a current loan balance of $0.04. The outstanding principal is $0.04, accrued interest is $0.00, and the last payment received was $301.15 on October 25, 2023

“I am sobbing with relief and gratitude,” theysaid.

22.And finally, this person paid nearly $12,000 toward interest alone in a single year.

Credit score display showing a score of 664. Text reads: "Welcome back! On January 06, 2024, your score decreased by 78 points."

Phone call screen showing call duration of 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 20 seconds with options for mute, keypad, speaker, add call, FaceTime, and contacts

Phone screen showing an active call with 1 (855) 337-6884, ongoing for 5 minutes and 42 seconds. Options displayed: mute, keypad, speaker, add call, FaceTime, contacts, and end call

Account overview indicates a total balance of $29,883.32. Most recent payment on Jan 20, 2022, totaled $272.71, with $15.14 going to principal and $257.57 to interest

A balance overview showing an original loan amount of $14,000, total amount paid $10,842.36, and remaining balance $13,715.70

A credit report summary showing a score of 748 from June 9, 2019, with details on credit factors and changes, including account closures and decreased balances

Congratulations message about a co-signer lowering loan rates. Summary of loan details included: 5-year fixed, $57,927 estimated lifetime savings, monthly payment $965.45

 for student loans, stating: "We can't get you good grades, but we can reward you for them. Get a student loan that celebrates your hard work. Limitations apply." There's a "Get Started" button

A table displays payment information with columns for Date, Description, Principal, Interest (highlighted in red), Fees, and Total

Online bill payment screen showing several balances with dates, amounts, due amount, interest rates, and a total payment due of $147.15

Screenshot showing a message, "Oh hey! It only took 20 years, but my student loans are at zero as of today," and loan details with a 0% interest rate, $0 principal balance, and $0 outstanding interest

Email inbox showing spam messages from Cheap Joe's Art Stuff, Navient, and Air Plant Supply Co

Credit score decreased by 20 points to 717 on Oct 30. USAA SVG BK balance increased by $44. One change found in Transunion credit report

FedLoan Servicing report dated Feb 29, 2020. Balance: $2,006, no payments made. Loan opened Aug 23, 2014, for 240 months. Payment history from 2016-2020 shows on-time payments

Summary of an image showing financial repayment details including a salary repayment of £309.00, direct repayment of £0.00, and interest added of £370.90

Notice stating that a private student loan (Account 9973) is paid off. Minimum payment due is $0.00. Last payment date was Feb 08, 2021. Account balance is $0.00

Statement with amount due $31,756.33 for activity through August 9, 2022

Credit score update: Your FICO score changed from 834 to 817. Company: Student Loan Corp. Status: Paid Loan with $0 balance

Notification from Discover Student Loans about covering college costs, including a clickable link. Mentions "Account Center" and the last four digits of an account number

Your 2023 tax document is now available. Interest paid on eligible Sallie Mae student loans in 2023 was $11,982.24