For starters, OP says that he has health issues. That makes it much more difficult to hold a full-time job. If he can only work part time, he would be stuck ear

For starters, OP says that he has health issues. That makes it much more difficult to hold a full-time job. If he can only work part time, he would be stuck earning far below the full-time market rate. As total annual revenue decreases, the time required to pay off that debt, along with the total amount of interest paid servicing it, goes up exponentially. Going to university isn't always a guaranteed win.