This wasn't a big deal back in the 70s and 80s because the cost of college was ~1/10th as cheap as it is today in real terms. It was an issue but less so 20 years ago when I went off to college and borrowed $20k (and my wife did similar amount), which I paid back, plus interest, in full. I'm not in favor of eliminating the debt these kids have but some pity absolutely. I also want to change it so that future kids have a fighting chance. I'd require personal finance classes in HS (and freshman year in college for anyone taking Stafford loans). I'd tie stafford loan limit amounts to graduation rates and job placement rates by university. I'd let student loans be dis-chargeable in bankruptcy again with 50% off the loss shared by the college. Among other things.
You are wrong and patronizing and not conservative.
And the feds just need to get out of funding higher ed completely.
Everyone would be better off with these students working their way through community college to start, not incurring debt, and having productive routes off the merry-go-round.