It does sound like they are taking advantage of you but if this is a US college loan then so long as you are married and in the US then the debt is half yours and can never be discharged only paid or interest will accrue as you fear (though there are a few programs where if your wife works in some government programs long enough, the debt will be paid). If it is a foreign loan then I have no idea if it would come back to haunt you if you don't pay. If she is acting this irresponsibly about a school debt then watch out if she has credit cards? When you are married in the US--in most states, any debts your spouse incurs become yours too!