Kristina Ellis

You have to take out a student loan.

It's totally normal, and I'm glad my story is proof that that's not true.

I'm glad that there's other stories in the documentary of people who went, you know what?

I'm taking loans off the table, and I'm going to figure out a way to go debt-free.

And it's inspiring, and I think it's so important for students to see this because we've got to fight this toxic culture that says that's the only way.

Right.

Huge problem.

And part of why I'm so passionate about helping this younger generation is because I see my friends.

I see people my age who bought into that lie.

And they thought, you know, it's all going to work out.

Of course, I'm going to get a great job.

I'm going to pay this off easily.

All the adults in my life at 17 told me.

that it's going to work out.

A lot of assumptions.

A lot of assumptions.

And now they're dealing with the pain and they're putting off getting married.

They're putting off buying a house.

Major life decisions because they feel trapped by student loan debt.

And we've got to do better for the next generation.