No second chances?!

I love this site... misery loves company!!

I attended school 1994- 1997.  I had one child while attended school and had another in the summer of 97.  The birth of my second child was the reason I did not continue with my education.  Because of an oversight at the school I was attending the module I missed (and had made plans to make up) was a prerequisite for the next module.  I couldn't take the next module and that meant that I ended up pushing my graduation date back by three months.  Student loans wouldn't grant me funding for the rest of the course.  I didn't have the money and dropped out. 

So now I owe 25,000 in student loans, no degree and just turned 30.  I have stayed home with the kids and my husband is a long haul truck driver.  We never really managed to make ends meet and when my hubby was in an accident we lost everything in the bankruptcy. 

A woman called me yesterday from some collection agency.  I was clear on which one... everytime I asked a question she'd just say "Weren't you listening"  or "We already covered that"  She's talking about federal liens and tagging my SIN.  I asked what my options were at this point and again I got the "weren't you listening"  response.  I have never been berated like that before.  I know that I haven't handled my debt in the best way. But I never had any way of paying it.  She told me I should be ashamed of myself and that I need to grow and be responsible.  And that I need to set the example for my children!! 

I'm scared and unsure of what to do now.  I tentatively planned to return to school now that all my kids are in shcool so childcare isn't an issue.  But now I don't know what to do.  PLEASE if anyone can give me some advice I will be in your debt forever!!

thanks for the encouragement and the good advice.