College Athlete Saves Up Money, Surprises Big Sister By Paying Off Her Student Debt

College has always been a goal and major accomplishment for many students across the country, but the heavy burden of student debt they accumulate while attending can be extremely stressful for them once they complete their studies.

According to CNBC more than 45 million Americans have accumulated a total debt of $1.7 trillion. Of those 45 million Americans, their average student debt is nearly $40,000.

Lauren, who recently graduated from Indiana University this past December, is one of those graduates.

But now she no longer has to carry the burden of paying back her debt, all thanks to her incredibly kind younger brother, Anthony Leal.

Leal, who plays basketball for Indiana University, wanted to do something nice for his sister for Christmas.

In the last few years, it has become legal for student athletes to make money off their jersey sales, memorabilia, endorsement deals, etc.

Since he is going to school on a scholarship, he didn’t need the money he saved up from his sales, so he decided to put it to good use.

Without hesitation, he paid off his sister’s student loans, so that she wouldn’t have to stress out about paying them back anymore.

He gave her a card at Christmas to inform her that he had paid off her debt.

“Your soul is beautiful, and you are the best role model ever,” Lauren reads out loud from the card. “There’s no doubt that I have made it to where I am today because of you. Someone like you deserves no burden or restrictions in life.”

“I feel like the best way to help with that is by paying off your student loan debt,” Lauren continued reading, turning to her mother with a shocked expression on her face.

“I know, I knew about it,” their mom says.

Lauren stood up and hugged her little brother, still so surprised and also grateful for his generosity.

Watch the heartwarming surprise in the video below: