This person is “so confused” by the concept of compound interest

https://www.marketwatch.com/picks/im-so-confused-im-a-school-nurse-who-took-out-about-30k-in-student-loans-but-over-the-years-they-have-ballooned-up-to-96k-how-could-this-even-happen-and-what-can-i-do-about-it-01646747369

‘I’m so confused.’ I’m a school nurse who took out about $30K in student loans — but over the years they have ballooned up to $96K. How could this even happen and what can I do about it?

March 9, 2022

Question: I’d like to obtain advice on tackling student loan debt. I do not have private loans, and I owe approximately $96,000. I’m so confused because initially my loans were less than $30,000, but I think the rest of it comes from interest. I’m not sure what I am looking at with my loans. My loans have been in forbearance, and I want to investigate loan forgiveness options. I am a school nurse and support my family, so my income is limited. Can you provide direction? It would be greatly appreciated.