• Name: Jeffrey Jackson
• School: Georgia Southern University
• Debt: $90,000

I am my family's first college graduate. The choices I had were: staying on in the housing projects where I grew up, or student loans. So I took the loans to improve my life. Since I graduated in December, I have applied for over 100 jobs and landed three interviews. I also got a bunch of emails stating I'm overqualified or that I lack the experience for better-paying jobs.

I have my bachelor's in political science and master's in public administration. I currently work at the university library but the wages I earn barely cover daily living expenses, let alone my student loans. I remain hopeful of achieving my dreams and be a positive influence on others.

NEXT: $80,000 for my daughter's education