I dropped out of college after my scholarship ran out instead of taking out loans because I knew I had terrible debt habits (credit cards at the time proved it)

I dropped out of college after my scholarship ran out instead of taking out loans because I knew I had terrible debt habits (credit cards at the time proved it) and didn't want to have any debt. I eventually did three more semesters at a half-load while paying each one while working full time (I couldn't afford more than that, and I was living with my parents to keep costs down). I dropped out again, then eventually decided to go back full time on student loans several years later. Tuition was meanwhile shooting up like crazy the entire time and more than doubled when I went back. I ended up taking out more than twice as much in student loans than I would have if I had just done it in the first place right after my scholarship ran out eight years prior. I would agree I was a chump for trying to stay debt free to get my degree, although I'm also glad I didn't go nuts with my loans like some people did, even the amount I had was a quarter as much as some people I know that also chose less lucrative majors (but more expensive schools, or out of state). That being said, I have since paid off my student loans, but would still approve some fairly generous student loan forgiveness. I don't have a "well I struggled so you should to" attitude. These people were convinced by their parents, teachers, counselors, family, etc that they could do whatever they want, take whatever loans out, and not have to worry about it, and ended up making a poor decision with lifelong consequences based on bad information. Some of these people have been paying their student loans for 5-10 years and their loans have only gotten bigger because of how large they are and how much interest accrues. I know a couple people that have just given up on paying their loans off ever, and are only going to pay the minimum required the rest of their lives. Those loans are going to effectively be "forgiven" whenever they end up dying, at a much higher amount than what forgiveness now would amount to. Yes, the root of the problem should be addressed, but attacking only the root doesn't help the people who have been screwed over by the system.