Students complain they're drowning in college debt

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

College debt loads are forcing students to shape their lives and careers around money, students testified at a federal hearing Thursday at Loyola University's downtown campus.

Some students say they will have to forgo lower-paying careers in favor of jobs that guarantee big bucks to pay off their loans. Others say they are picking graduate schools based on where they'll get the best deal, not necessarily where they'd get the best training.

The students testified at a hearing held by the U.S. Education Department, which is considering how to write regulations governing things like student loans and federal grant programs. About 40 people testified before three officials, who declined to comment during a break.

Students, however, had plenty to say. They wore T-shirts saying they were "drowning in debt'' and carried beach balls and other swim toys to demonstrate how bad it's become.

No word yet on when these students figure out that the cost of college might not be worth for many.