<prompt> Human: Im 26 with no car and no house. I went to a private university a mistake for a single year. I have about 18k in two student loans that requires me to pay about 175 a month combined as a minimum and have not paid them for some time. The larger of the two loans is also cosigned by an estranged mother. My schooling has given me absolutely no value and is now a finacial burden. I do not have a healthy bank account, and I have roughly 2k in stocks that I was given from my grandparents. I have never withdrawn from this. Is bankruptcy an option?  <response>: Typically student loans are not discharged in bankruptcy. 175 month is really not bad in the big scheme...can you apply for income based repayment if your income is low to reduce the amount paid monthly? I would avoid the bankrupty at all costs for this small of a monthly payment 