<prompt> Human: I still have about 24K in student loans from my law degree almost 17 years ago 6.25 rate. I have amassed a small lump of cash in my savings account separate from my retirement savings and just dont know what to do with it. I could make a large dent in my student loans and pay about half of them off still want to keep some cash in savings, but Im not sure if that is the right choice. If I continue to pay the amount I do now, it will take me almost another 12 years to pay them off. Or, do I take that same amount and invest it? Or, I also know that I am going to have some additional expenses coming up going back to school, so should I just leave it alone and hold tight? I also know that any debt I have on my upcoming degree has a high likelihood of being forgiven by a current government program for healthcare workers in certain fields. Confused.  <response>: Jeeezus. 24K student loan thats been around for 17 years?? Dude write the check and be done with it. There is no other way to come out ahead here. 