The way student loans are structured you can’t not pay them. Don’t pay your loans and default, we’ll get your wages garnished. You get a tax refund normally, well they’ll take that. Oh you are on government assistance well they’ll cut the amount you get. Want to declare bankruptcy sorry still gotta pay the loan.
It will only be worse for incoming freshmen since the rates will now be between 5.50-8.05% last I saw.
No matter what people who lent money for student loans will get paid unless the whole system changes and judging by those in charge there is a snowflakes chance in hell that happens unfortunately.