so that I could be able to go to college.

Thus far, that mission has cost me $88,000.

I just think, gosh, couldn't there have been a better way?

My name is Marvin Logan

and I have a mountain of student loan debt.

I'm a first-generation college student.

I was an all-American track and field athlete in high school

and due to those merits I was able to earn

a track and field scholarship

and then I got hurt and that changed everything.

I had to take out student loans

to be able to compensate for the athletic scholarship

that I had lost.

By the time that I graduate with my masters

I'll be closer to $100,000 in debt.

I certainly think that it was worth it

but it was a high price to pay to have a better life.

What is most important for me

is that I can take the experiences that I've learned

and teach them to my students.

I work as a program assistant for Usher's New Look

which is a non-profit organization

all about youth development and leadership.

One of the things that I do in my work

is help students evaluate and navigate student loans,

financial aid, figuring out how to make the best choices

when going off to college

so they can continue to develop as leaders.

Part of the reason that we've come

to the circumstances we have in college affordability

is our lack of representation, not just as young people,

but as people in general.

There are probably not too many things

that are more important in this world

than to stand up and be counted.

If you truly want to be stronger together,

if you truly want to make America great again

you won't be able to do that

without a solid and sound investment in education.

(lighthearted music)

(ding)