If you examine the statement he made, he didn’t say “he”.
He said “we”.
Meaning the collective Barack and Michelle.
His part of the student loans of “we” could be 0% and her part could be 100% for all we know.
I had actually considered that as well.
By the way, after reading that section of his book, I'm inclined to believe that his work at the law firm was sub-standard and the bosses told him that his chances of making partner were about zero, so he quit before being cut.