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College was once promised as a path to security, but for millions, it became the gateway to lifelong debt. In this episode of BHT Bytes, hosts Sharlee Dixon and Peter Fenger unpack the heavy toll of student loan debt, an issue that now affects nearly 1 in 5 American adults and fuels ongoing political debate. For decades, higher education has been hailed as the great equalizer, a launchpad for upward mobility and financial stability. But for 45 million Americans, that dream comes with a staggering price tag. With U.S. student loan debt now topping $1.7 trillion, the impact stretches far beyond individual bank accounts, delaying homeownership, family planning, and career fulfillment while widening racial, gender, and generational wealth gaps. Sharlee and Peter explore how debt has reshaped not just personal futures but the structure of society itself. They also examine the intersections of the pandemic, shifting government policy, and the consequences of limited financial literacy. This episode asks a deeper question: What is student loan debt really costing us, not just in dollars, but in opportunity, equity, and well-being?