Debt Cancellation by Military?

It's no secret that most students leave college with a massive debt. I've been wondering, if I join the military after graduation, is there a chance they could pay off my college debt? I'm in this position right now and I'm looking for possible solutions. Thanks in advance!

Absolutely, many branches of the U.S. military offer student loan repayment assistance or forgiveness programs for their service members as part of their benefits package. The particularities can vary between branches and can even depend on your role within the military, but here are a few examples:

1. The Army Student Loan Repayment program can repay up to $65,000 in student loans. It's available for enlisted soldiers (on Active Duty), Army Reserves, and Army National Guard.

2. The Navy, through their Loan Repayment Program, can help sailors pay off a significant portion of their educational loans. They can provide up to $65,000 in loan repayment over a three-year period.

3. The Air Force Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps offers a student loan repayment program. It provides up to $65,000 in loan repayments, with the amount distributed over a period of three years.

4. The National Guard has a Student Loan Repayment Program that provides up to $50,000 for student debt for soldiers and officers.

Remember, the specific details of such programs can change over time or depending on your status, and there may be certain requirements to meet or contracts to fulfill. So, I highly recommend reaching out directly to a recruiter or the appropriate department within the military to get the most accurate, up-to-date information.

Note: Also, consider looking into Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) which applies specifically to federal loans. Essentially, if you make 120 qualifying payments (ten years' worth, basically) while working full-time for a qualifying employer (like the U.S. military), the remaining balance of your loan could be forgiven. This could also be a potential route for you.