Debt-Free, Every Degree

The average Class of 2016 graduate has $37,172 in student loan debt, up six percent from last year.  One Heartland alum says it doesn't have to be that way.  Wearing her Heartland blue as she talks, Claire Troyer passionately declares, "You can leave college debt free." After graduating from Heartland Community College in 2011 with her associate’s degree, Troyer went on to receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Illinois State University. Troyer managed to rack up all three degrees without any debt!

Troyer challenged herself to graduate debt free her freshman year of college after hearing financial lecturer Dave Ramsey speak about taking control of your finances and not letting them take control of you. “I remember him saying, ‘live like no one else, so later you can live and give like no one else,’” says Troyer. “That’s when I decided to challenge myself to graduate debt-free.”

Over six years later, Troyer can testify that although the path she chose was difficult at times, it was more than worth it. She didn’t receive scholarships or financial assistance, but rather paid for school by working nearly full time while also being a full time student. Troyer said her dedication, great support system, and faith in God helped carry her through the tougher moments.

You'll have to sacrifice, but you can still have fun.

“I sacrificed what a lot of people would say is the ‘typical college experience’ to get everything I wanted,” says Troyer. “But I still had fun! I loved my job and I’m a social butterfly. I had fun with my coworkers and friends, but I knew that sometimes I had to sacrifice those moments to reach my end goal.”

The skills Troyer has, which allowed her to juggle both full-time positions, include her time management skills, goal setting, and sheer determination.  That motivation was driven by being responsible for own education. “I paid for all my schooling, so I feel like I have a deeper appreciation for it,” says Troyer. “I didn’t skip class, I talked to my professors, and I still stay in contact with them today. Take ownership of your education and appreciate it because we are so blessed to live in a place where we can get a degree.”

Heartland is a great starting point.

Heartland was a good starting line to launch Troyer down her successful debt-free path. It allowed her to figure out what she wanted to do and at a reasonable cost. “I would highly recommend that anyone consider community college first,” says Troyer. “Heartland was great preparation for me to move on to Illinois State. I took so many classes here that really meant something to me and my degree.”

So what are her tips to success? Troyer says students should aim to live below their means, make a budget (and stick to it!), believe in themselves, and stay focused on their end goal. “Those five to 10 minutes before class when most students were texting, I was writing in my planner or working on homework,” says Troyer. “It’s just how my personality is.”