I’m writing to shed light on a topic that is not only handicapping a generation of young adults in this community, but also many others across the country.

The student loan crisis is becoming a popular topic on the political media circuit, yet personal stories of those suffering from a heavy burden of debt and a lack of employment opportunities aren’t being told.

College graduates are having trouble finding employment, or even a job to cover their living expenses on top of large monthly student loan payments.

I am one of those people, with an average monthly student loan payment (with an unfixed interest rate of 9.25 percent) that costs me more than a mortgage payment on a $200,000 home.

Like myself, some are fortunate enough to have the support of their families to live at home until some sort of wage increase or better paying job comes around.

The issue not only affects this generation of young adults, but the economy as a whole. The dream of one day owning a home, or raising a family, is currently put on hold. The opportunities to buy a new car, or even be able to casually have dinner with friends, are far and few between.

I’m certainly not one to whine and am proud of the education I’ve attained, but I could have never prepared for my present financial situation. I can only hope that more attention paid to the issue will bring relief for those suffering from this economic problem.

Megan Hebert, Lewiston