Helping Educators Turn Student Loan Debt into Financial Freedom

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – JUNE 16, 2026 – When Agnes Wooters graduated with her master's degree and teaching certification, she was ready to pursue her passion for teaching. What she wasn't prepared for was the financial burden that came with it. While the average educator carries approximately $55,800 in student loan debt, Wooters found herself owing more than she expected to earn as a teacher.

“At my graduation, I owed more than I was going to make,” said Wooters, an English language arts teacher in Walla Walla, Washington.

Wooters’ path to the classroom wasn’t straightforward. Although she originally planned to become a teacher after high school, concerns about starting salaries led her to pursue a business degree instead. She built a successful career in human resources and later worked in government before realizing her passion for education never went away.

That realization led her back to school. Wooters enrolled full-time in a private university master’s program while continuing to work. The education she received was everything she hoped for. The student loan debt that came with it was not.

Over time, undergraduate loans, graduate school expenses, and accumulating interest created a financial burden that felt overwhelming. Fortunately, Wooters wasn’t alone.

Through Horace Mann’s Student Loan Solutions program, powered by Tuition.io, she received guidance navigating the often-complex Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) process. After going through the process, she received life-changing news: her more than $195,000 in student loan debt was forgiven, including more than $93,000 in principal and over $102,000 in interest.

“I thought I understood the system and thought it was in place to help me,” Wooters said. “I was wrong. I needed help, and Horace Mann was there to guide me through the process.”

Today, Wooters encourages other educators facing similar challenges to seek assistance. “There’s help available, and there’s no shame in asking for help,” she said.

Her story comes at an important time for educators nationwide. Federal student loan changes are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, with new repayment rules that could impact monthly payments and eligibility for loan forgiveness programs.

For many educators, understanding those changes can feel daunting. That’s why Horace Mann continues to offer Student Loan Solutions at no cost, helping educators evaluate their options, identify savings opportunities and navigate the evolving student loan landscape.

“At Horace Mann, our mission is to help educators succeed in and out of the classroom,” said Steve Chauby, Chief Marketing and Distribution Officer at Horace Mann. “Navigating these upcoming changes can feel overwhelming, but educators don’t have to do it alone. Our Student Loan Solutions program is one of the many ways we support educators by helping them reduce financial stress and plan confidently for their future.”

Since 2020, more than 7,200 educators have applied for financial relief through Horace Mann’s Student Loan Solutions program and the company estimates that over the next decade, more than $355 million in potential loan forgiveness is projected for participating educators.

For Wooters, having her student loan debt forgiven has allowed her to focus on the profession she loves without the weight of overwhelming debt.

To learn more about Horace Mann’s Student Loan Solutions program, visit https://www.horacemann.com/programs/student-loan-solutions.