In 1986 I started out in court reporting school in California for three years and due to tendonitis I couldn’t get my speed up to the speed requirement.  I took out student loans for those three years.  Shortly thereafter(1989), I moved to Alabama and got my paralegal degree during which time I took out more student loans.  After realizing I couldn’t get a job as a paralegal due to the lawyers using legal secretaries, I continued my schooling in 1991 to become an elementary school teacher figuring it would be a good career for a single mom.  Of course then again, I took out student loans.  In all I probably took out around $18,000 which doesn’t seem much compared to others. I taught at a title one school for 10 years before quitting to take care of my parents. The problem is due to the many deferments and forbearances over the last 7 years, my loans are now up to $37,500.  What I am wondering is if it is too late to get loan forgiveness for teaching at a title one school. Or has anyone been able to negotiate with Sallie Mae to forgive part of the interest and pay just the principal?  My first loans were taken out in 1986 which is over 27 years ago.  I thought I read somewhere that after 25 years loans may go away.  Any help with these questions would be appreciated.  I am not sure where to go from here.  I have negotiated to pay lower payments this year due to not working.  I don’t want to be paying my student loans during retirement which is only a few years away. I am currently 57.