How ISTA membership can relieve stress about student loans
10/23/2017

This summer NPR Ed released the results of their first Teacher Student Debt survey. More than 50 percent of the respondents – with varying debt levels starting at less than $25,000 to more than $75,000 – said they were worried or terrified about their student loans.

And, it’s not just educators with student loans. According to the Pew Research Center, Americans owed more than $1.3 trillion in student loans as of June 2017. That’s an increase of two and a half times more than the previous decade.

With the costs of college increasing and wages remaining stagnant, it’s hard for a new educator to feel secure in their profession. The National Education Association (NEA) and ISTA want to help.

NEA launched the campaign, Degrees Not Debt, to activate young professionals to advocate for college affordability and educate members about income-driven repayment options and public service loan forgiveness.

Additionally, ISTA offers a program in partnership with Horace Mann to reduce or eliminate student debt.

“My Horace Mann insurance agent helped me receive over $105,000 in student loan forgiveness,” said Misty Barton, an educator at Muncie Southside Middle School. “As a single mom of three adopted kids, I now feel confident I can help my children with college, something my parents simply couldn’t afford to do for me. I feel like I have a new lease on life.”

If you’re interested in learning more about this program, contact your local Horace Mann agent, UniServ office or the ISTA Member Resource Center.

Remember, you’re not alone in paying off your student loans. ISTA is here to help you stay in the profession and excel in your chosen career.