* The amount of debt: A significant debt might impact their ability to secure financial aid or loans for college. Lenders and colleges assess creditworthiness.
* The type of debt: Is it a federal loan, private loan, or something else? Federal loans often have more flexible repayment options than private loans. The college's financial aid office will consider the debt.
* Credit score: A poor credit score due to unpaid technical school debt could hinder the ability to obtain student loans or other financial aid.
* College's policies: Each college has its own financial aid policies and may have specific requirements or limitations concerning prior debt. Some might be more lenient than others.
* Repayment plan: Having an active and satisfactory repayment plan in place for the technical school debt might improve the chances of approval for college financial aid.
In short, it's possible but not guaranteed. The individual should contact the financial aid office of the colleges they are interested in attending and discuss their situation. They should also explore options for managing their existing debt, such as income-driven repayment plans if applicable. The earlier they contact the financial aid office, the better they can plan and understand their options.