I can’t see how $26,000 turned into $45,000 if she “faithfully” paid the loans. I suspect she deferred them for a number of years. Interest still accrues even though payments are not being made.
They tack on some outrageous amounts if you miss payments too.
She is paying back $26,400 at 5% over 50 years. She’s paying $118.50 a month on her loan and she has 27 years to go. She’s correct that she will pay that much over that period if she doesn’t pay more than the minimum due.
On the other hand, she would have finished paying the loan by now if she had put in an extra $43 or so every month.
Math is hard. Even harder for her, since she’s a moron.