I have 2 loans through Sallie Mae that total the bulk of my student loan debt. They are not Federal Loans and therefore I cannot consolidate them through Direct Loans. I cannot afford to keep paying them, they take up 40% of my income. Any suggestions? I have 2 loans through Sallie Mae that total the bulk of my student loan debt. They are not Federal Loans and therefore I cannot consolidate them through Direct Loans. I cannot afford to keep paying them, they take up 40% of my income. Any suggestions? Someone suggested I get a second job. So i thought it might be important to add that I have one. I work 7 days a week. I am limited to where I work as a second job because of my first job. Ethics and all that stuff.