BUFFALO, N.Y. — More than 43 million Americans are preparing to pay back student loans after a three-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the average federal student loan borrower is $37,717 in debt, Rebecca Ward has $50,000. That is after paying off about $100,000.

"I am embarrassed to say that I’m actually financially dependent on my family. I’m not financially independent," said Ward, who turns 40 soon. 

She works as an event planner for a nonprofit and makes less than Buffalo’s city lifeguards. And as payments are set to resume in September, she expects to pay about $400 a month.

"There’s not much else you can do other than to like, follow the path," she admitted.

Martin Lynch, director of education at Cambridge Credit Counseling, said student debt is to be expected, especially for specialized careers. What makes this generation different is the difficulties they face in other areas of their budgets.

"That’s what makes it frustrating when you see comments on student loan articles – 'well I paid off my loans 20 years ago.' I did too because it was much cheaper then," said Lynch. "And the numbers are completely different these days. Incomes haven't changed to keep pace with the cost of college, and that is not the student's fault."

Lynch recommends anyone who qualifies for the Income Driven Repayment (IDR) plan to apply. Those with questions about how to afford upcoming payments can get free counseling from places like Cambridge Credit Counseling or Parachute Credit Counseling.