For senior kinesiology major Adrienne Scott education has had a high price.

Scott has worked her away through college and has had to take few loans.

She has recieved loans through Sallie Mae, Stanford, Perkins and Direct loans. A list of she can barely remember there are so many.

“It is going to take me years to pay off,” she said. “Most likely my entire life.”

Debt is a fact that surrounds most college students and now is getting worst since the rates of loans rose July 1.

Rates for Stafford loans have recently been 2.77 percent while borrowers are in school and for six months after graduation, and 3.37 percent after that, including a rate of 4.17 percent.

However these rates are increasing by nearly 2 percent.

As of July 1, the new Stafford variable rate are 4.7 percent for borrowers like Scott who are still in school, or 5.3 percent for those in the repayment phase.

A 1-percentage point increase in the prevailing student loan rate can add $2,500 to the 20-year cost of the average graduate’s $20,000 loan burden, according to an MSN report.

“If it were going to take 10 years to pay, now it is going to take me 20 years.” Scott said.

As a Kiplinger’s magazine article pointed out, to consolidate a $20,000 Stafford Loan at 2.88 percent, as student would pay $110 per month, including about $6,300 in interest over 20 years.

If the student does not consolidate, he will pay 5.38 percent, which will cost to the student more $12,700.

However NIU has no control in such rates and how students are getting into debt Scott thinks NIU could help.

“NIU should reinforce a lot more about scholarships and grants to students,” Scott said.,”So they would be less in debt.”