So what did they do before 2005?

It's always been difficult to discharge student loan debt in bankruptcy going back to the 1970s, and becoming increasingly strict with time. Before then, tuitions were much lower.

i failed to get student loans because my mother still owed everything she borrowed for her student loans, plus interest. She never paid a cent and died owing that money.

sometimes i am thankful for stupidity in the banking system. there is no way i could have sat still for 4 years at that point in my life. i have my father’s alcoholic rage to thank for not wanting to be at home, and preferring high school. at college the desire to leave home would have been met even if i didn’t attend class.

yes, and how is that my fault?

the only taxpayer that was directly affected was me, and I wasn't a taxpayer when the loan was issued.

I don’t think they said it was your fault. And frankly all taxpayers end up having to pay for deadbeats that don’t pay back their student loans, not just you.

Our parents got free/cheap college from the taxpayer, and didn't need loans at all.