Veteran witness says $1,300 monthly student-loan payments starting July 1 will 'crush' his family

A witness who said he served as a fleet marine force corpsman testified that he owes $96,000 in student loans and faces restarting monthly payments of $1,300 beginning July 1.

The witness told the meeting he used the Montgomery GI Bill to begin college after leaving the military and said he also paid into that benefit while serving. "I began college," he said, and then described his current balance: "I'm at $96,000 in debt even with using the GI bill and paying into it myself while I was in the military."

Asked about the effect on his household, the witness said the $1,300 monthly payment "is going to crush us financially," adding the family would likely be unable to afford their home or "putting food on the table." He characterized the debt as emotionally difficult, saying, "Debt is scary" and that it "comes with some shame."

The testimony highlights the personal impact of student-loan repayments on at least one veteran who relied on the Montgomery GI Bill for education and still faces a substantial balance. The meeting record does not show an immediate formal response or recorded vote on the issue.

No further action or formal decision was recorded in the transcript regarding debt-relief measures or changes to repayment timing.