More and more students are fighting off increasingly potent college loans.

But lo and behold, there are still some people out there willing to help. A bankruptcy lawyer named Neil Sadler, of the Sadler Law Firm, recently posted on Reddit, talking to users about the topic of college debt and the ways to help solve the problem.

Sadler has been a bankruptcy lawyer in Kansas City since 1984. In 2013, he had a well-publicized case featured in Missouri Lawyers Weekly in which he reduced his client's student loans by $250,000.

So what did Sadler advise for students facing such difficult situations?

Start Paying Now

Sadler notes that it is crucial to get started on payments early because there is a good chance that the debt can be completely paid after 20 years.

Get Work for a Non-Profit or Public Entity

According to Sadler, those who work for non-profits or public entities might see their debt forgiven after only 10 years. It seems like a long time, but in the grand scheme, it is far shorter a time period than what other students have in store for them.

Use Income-Based Repayment Plans

Sadler advises getting involved with income-based repayment plans because they create stability in paying back loans and also work well with financial limitations of recent graduates.

"Paying 10% of one's pay toward loans is sensible and doable for many," said Sadler. "What is a shame is that so many people fail to look into the options available . . . as they are petrified of the process."

Help Is on the Way

While he was hesitant to commit to this point, Sadler noted that there is likely some kind of reform slowly but surely coming to the college loan system.

"The question is whether the existing bankruptcy laws will be used to help allow these debts to be discharged or will there be other programs initiated. I do not think drastic action will be anytime soon," he said. "But give it another 3 to 4 years and I think the overwhelming debt many will fact will force the issue."

Take Government or Public Loans First

If students want to avoid tremendously high interest rates and problems down the line, they should do themselves a favor by relying on public or government loans first. These plans may not offer as much money, but they do eventually offer consolidation as a repayment option down the line, something that could prove crucial.

Look for Ways to Succeed, Not Ways to Get out of Debt

Sadler advised students to do their utmost to get a degree and then work hard to succeed at their chosen profession. He advised against trying to game the system.

"Be honest and look for ways to make things work . . .instead of how to get out of things. Be patient and realize that even with hard work it takes time to succeed," he said. "I tell my clients I sleep well at night because I do not advocate anything shady . . . and if they hire me they can sleep well at night too knowing they are going about things correctly. Think about it."

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