She probably was attending a TAMU campus near her home (there are 7 campuses total) - and in-state was probably a bargain compared to what she had taken out. I got my Master’s at TAMU - earlier when it was even cheaper - 1980 to 1982, and the most I paid for 4 graduate classes (12 hours) including all fees for a semester was $212. I had a graduate assistantship (paid $500/mo for the part time work). She may have been trying to take courses towards a EdD while teaching, while trying to maintain her household including 4 kids and a H in construction.
Returning to MO and working for a Catholic school - she could be higher paid at public. Plus by that time she was ‘awake’ by the depth of her debt, but now feels ‘helpless’ and w/o hope. They will garnish everything they can at this point.