So I graduated from an “out of state” school in 2010, in which I took out mostly Private, and some federal loans to pay for the entire tuition. After graduating I worked/went to school again to get my education degree and am now just starting my career as a teacher.

And, with the end of schooling, ends my luxurious/ delusional life wherein loans can be deferred. My federal loans are quite reasonable at this time, but my private loan monthly payments (through Sallie Mae’s new company, Navient) are more than an entire paycheck. I have tried working with Navient, they can’t reduce my payments at all, and have even reached out to some loan refinancing institutions who have responded only with “your income and debt ratio is too large for us to help you”. Now, please forgive me, but if my income/debt ratio was lower, I wouldn’t need to refinance my loans.

Anyways, I am feeling lost and confused and am thinking there’s nowhere to turn. I realize my loans are sizable, and if I could be an 18 year-old again and make such a big financial decision I would obviously go about it very differently. However, I can’t. The debt I have is mine and I am happy to pay for it, I just need the chance to do so.

Basically, my question is, what can I do/ is there anything I can do to lower my payments?

Thank you.