<p>OP, anyone can default on financial obligations and it can vary what the ramifications are. Happens all of the time, that people just walk away from their bills and what the owe. With federal financial aid, there are more possibilities of problems because you do have your federal social security number involved, and if ever you have some opportunity here in the US, this can be an issue if you want to partake in such opportunities. You never know when some great thing may crop up, and it may involve financing from the US available only for citizens and your SSN will be essential, and then…well, if you have this matter of that student loan attached to it, well… Same with job opportunities, buying properties, business deals, etc. That you have a citizenship here does confer some privileges and advantages, one of the being the ability to borrow for college in a way that non citizenships are not permitted to do, in part, for the very reasons that you state about defaulting. But these student loans are only a tip of the iceberg in terms of other privileges, opportunities that you may have in your lifetime. I don’t think it’s worth it do give this all up as a young person. You have no idea what turns and opportunities life may bring in the future for you.</p>