MONTICELLO, NY — In 2016, millennials overtook baby boomers as America’s largest living generation—accounting for over 80 million of the nation’s population.

There are over 44 million people with student loan debt, which amounts to an estimated $1.3 trillion. In comparison, federal government debt is estimated to be $20.1 trillion.

On average, college graduates have nearly $40,000 in student loan debt, according to U.S News & World Report.

These daunting statistics have left many college graduates to question their immediate futures.

“After I graduated, I asked myself, do I really want to go to law school,” said Jennifer Tindie, a Sullivan County Community College and University at Albany alumnae.

Tindie said that the amount of student loan debt she accrued initially discouraged her from furthering her education. “It did discourage me, but I’m of the mindset that my goals and dreams are more important. I can’t be afraid or limit myself because of debt,” said Tindie.

The standard repayment option for federal student loans includes a time frame of up to 10 years. However, borrowers can also elect to increase this window for up to 30 years with an extended or graduated repayment plan.

Cyrena Di Cio said that it took 20 years to pay off her student loans.

Di Cio, a first grade teacher at George L. Cooke School in Monticello, said that in spite of the financial pressure, she is grateful that she received financial assistance to attend college.

“I wouldn’t take it back. Even though I paid 20 years on my student loans, it’s finally over and I’m in the profession that I want to be in,” said Di Cio. “It was all worth it.”

An estimated 1.8 million students are expected to graduate this year with bachelor’s degrees, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. In a highly competitive job market—which is expected to hire 5.8% more graduates this year—employers and recruiters alike have undoubtedly been more selective in hiring candidates.

A.J. Biggers, a recruiter for Greenhouse Software in New York City, said that he receives upward of 75 employment applications a week. Many of the applications are for entry-level positions geared toward students currently enrolled in college and for recent grads. Experience, leadership positions and student activities are several factors taken into consideration by recruiters when reviewing resumés.

Bigger’s advice to college grads when applying to jobs: “Be targeted, focused and genuine because that’s what we look for,” he said. “Be honest with yourself; it can be very daunting to apply to everything and anything.”

Financial Aid Services such as the College Advisor of New York prepare students as early as high school for what is to come in the near future, specifically relating to student loans. Factors such as tuition, financial aid, admissions and scholarships are discussed with both students and parents.

Dean Skarlis, president of the program, said that it is difficult to inform students that what they aspire to do may not be profitable based on the job market.

“It’s hard to tell a student that wants to be an opera singer that they can’t do that because it’s unlikely that they will make a lot of money,” said Skarlis.

The New York State Get on Your Feet program was designed to provide financial assistance for recent graduates.

Introduced in 2015 as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Opportunity Agenda, the program offers up to 24 months of federal student loan debt relief. Requirements of applicants include having an adjusted gross income of less than $50,000, applying for the program within two years of receiving an undergraduate degree and being a resident of New York State, to name a few.

Tindie said that getting on your feet after graduation is difficult. The Get on Your Feet program has allowed her to focus on other aspects of her life that are important without having the stress of repaying her loans immediately after she graduated.

“It has put my mind at ease for 24 months,” said Tindie. “It’s one less bill I have to worry about.”