Loan forgiveness is definitely an option worth considering. There are many public service fields and some teaching positions that allow for loan forgiveness after working in the field for a period of 10 years. During the period you must make 120 payments on your loans after which the balance will be forgiven. You can also do volunteer work to pay down debt. AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps, and Vista all have programs that qualify for loan forgiveness.

Nathaniel Wilder/Staff/File
AmeriCorps volunteers Mary Schumacher (foreground) from Portage, Michigan and Jessica Erickson from Des Moines, Iowa fold netting to be used in oyster traps in the bay outside of Wellfleet in this 2002 file photo. AmeriCorps is among the many public service organizations that qualify for loan forgiveness programs.