I Sacrificed for My Son's Tuition—Student Loan Forgiveness Is a Bitter Pill

As a father who invested significant time and money to ensure my son graduated debt-free, the concept of student loan forgiveness raises an important question.

Should those who worked multiple jobs and sacrificed greatly be burdened with the responsibility of paying off others' debts?

Reflecting on my own journey, I recall the sleepless nights and endless hours spent working two jobs to fund my son's education.

From 2019 to 2024, my son attended Centria University of Applied Sciences in Finland, where he pursued a BBA in International Business.

He also attended Northland Pioneer College in Flagstaff, Arizona from 2016 to 2018. Currently, he resides in Finland and has decided to continue his college education there for an additional year, extending until 2024.

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The tuition fees amounted to approximately $20,000, but the total cost of his college experience, including living expenses and other associated fees, was around $120,000 due to the expenses associated with studying in Finland.

I have worked as a Store General Manager for Petco, a major retail chain in Roseburg, Oregon. In addition, I have earned income through local construction work and various handyman jobs.

I also had the opportunity to restore a cabin in the White Mountains in Arizona, east of Flagstaff, which I eventually sold. Furthermore, I restored a house in North Bend, Oregon, and successfully sold it.

The majority of the proceeds from these sales, along with the income from my handyman and construction jobs, were dedicated to funding my son Nathan's education.

However, overworking my body has taken a significant toll on my health. I have undergone three spinal surgeries and currently rely on continuous medication to manage the associated issues.

I poured my heart and soul into providing him with a debt-free start in life. I take great pride in the sacrifices I made to ensure that my son Nathan could go to college.

Unlike me, who never had the chance to attend college due to my parents' belief that it was an unnecessary expense. I spent the last three decades working in physically demanding jobs that were mostly low-paying.

I want my son to have the opportunity to achieve more and have better prospects in life.

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The sense of pride and accomplishment I felt in seeing him graduate without the burden of student debt was immeasurable.

However, it's disheartening to witness calls for blanket student loan forgiveness from individuals who may not have faced the same level of sacrifice.

The idea of my hard-earned tax dollars being used to alleviate the financial obligations of those who perhaps haven't demonstrated the same level of dedication and perseverance is a bitter pill to swallow.

I haven't had a detailed conversation about student loan forgiveness with my son Nathan, but he has expressed his belief that individuals should be responsible for finding their own means to pay for education.

However, he also mentioned that if he had student loans and was offered student loan forgiveness, he would take it.

I want to emphasize that I am not criticizing student loan forgiveness, but rather trying to initiate a conversation about it.

I believe it would be beneficial to explore options for those who didn't take out loans but still had to pay for college. This could help foster understanding and empathy among people.

Perhaps, instead of seeking handouts, individuals should consider the value of hard work and determination in paying off their loans.

Working two jobs, making sacrifices, and putting in the effort to secure a stable financial future are essential steps in the journey toward financial freedom.

I firmly believe that the government is not the solution to our problems and should not play a significant role in our lives.

Americans should explore the complexities of student loan forgiveness, the implications it holds for both individuals who have diligently worked to avoid debt and those seeking relief.

We must engage in a meaningful dialogue on this topic that touches the core of financial responsibility and fairness.

Daniel French is a 58-year-old retail professional with 30 years of experience. He served six years in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War.

All views expressed are the author's own.

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