When I was 45 I decided to go back to college so that I could better take care of myself and my daughter who has a primary immune deficiency. Over a period of 5 years I completed my BA and subsequently my MS in counseling psychology. Although I worked three part time jobs while attending school full time, year round I had to take out over $65,000 in student loans to support myself and my daughter and pay for her ever increasing health issurance. After graduating with honors from both programs, I was able to find a job paying $28.500 a year and had to commute two hours a day. After three and a half years I had worn out two cars and myself and I was unable to find another job so I quit to sell real estate because I was able to make more money. Well we all know what happened to the real estate market. So I have now spent 18 months trying to find a job, without one interview, and am currently working 8 hours a week in retail. I have arthritis in both knees and am unable to stand for long periods of time. My daughter who is still seriously ill has grown up and moved out on her own, but has had to go on medicaid because I can't help her. In the meantime my student loans have grown an additional $10,000 and I have no means to repay them. I would love to do so, but I am now at a loss as to how to get a job. I seem to be over qualified, under qualified, etc. I just want to put this nightmare behind me. I am now 57 and do not know what I am going to do when I reach retirement age. Is the government going to take what little I get in social security to pay my student loans? I would love to hear from anyone who has some positive suggestions.