<prompt> Human: Throwaway account because sisters a redditor too and for anonymity. The short version is that Im a concerned younger brother and sis wont take my financial advice because she says that I just dont understand.Shes 26 and has had a really hard time since our mom died, 5 years ago. She was a straight A student in college before that, no real credit at that point. Grades slipped and eventually she was 9 credit hours from graduating when got put on academic probation for a year for low grades. After the year was up, she just didnt go back. It will have been 1 year since her academic probation ended this August. Shes got approx 50k in student loan debt and cant pay on the loans right now because she isnt making any money. Shes married but husband is pretty much a deadbeat and doesnt work. She is self-employed interior decorator that also takes random projects as opportunities present themselves. As far as I know, nothing has changed since the last time we discussed these things in detail she vents to me a lot. She doesnt make much money at all and usually always gets a tax refund. She has one kid, a 2yr old. She gets EBT Food Stamps for groceries and Im sure she qualifies for other government aid but refuses to apply. Shes got zero savings, no assets other than a 98 car in her name and renting a dulplex from a friend for very cheap. With those circumstances, what are her options? There is no way she can pay the student loans and it seems to be eating at her. She cant afford to hire a lawyer or consult professionals for help so I thought Id reach out to reddit for helpful advice. What, if anything, can I suggest to her that would help her in the right direction? EDIT: Ok, so bankruptcy status wouldnt impact student loans at all is the majority answer. With that said, is there a best course of action I can offer to my sister to improve her circumstances? Her yearly income is maybe 5k and shes always struggling to afford the absolute bare minimum of a place to live and food. I dont want to sound like a jerk or anything but I figure the more honest I am about her situation, the better advice I may be able to get for her particular situation. And thank you for suggestions so far.  <response>: She could be making more money working full time at minimum wage. Tell her to get a real job. Not trying to sound mean, but seriously she needs a real job. 