Dear Liz: Our son is a schoolteacher and he does as many extra-duty things as he is able to do to maximize his income. He is still paying on his student loan debt from earning his master's degree. He has had to put it on deferral a few times.
When his wife couldn't find a job after her position was outsourced, she went back to school for her bachelor's degree. She graduated with honors and a degree in digital technology -- plus about $100,000 in student loans. She has occasionally worked through a temp agency and has gained very valuable experience, but the work is scarce. In addition, she has been suffering for several years from severe depression. She is receiving treatment for it and is slowly improving but still has not been able to find employment, and her unemployment benefits have just run out, adding to her stress.
They feel totally overwhelmed and need some relief. We've made some of their student loan payments and are helping with the mortgage on their underwater home, which our son has been trying without success to refinance. The loan was predicated on two full-time incomes, which obviously they no longer have. We don't have unlimited funds but try to help as much as possible.