LONG POST WARNING:
Hooooo boy, do I FEEL this situation. At 33, I was struck by lightning when I met my partner. I knew from the first day I met him that he and I were meant for each other (and I'm no pollyanna -- I've been in a long-term partnership had several other healthy shorter relationships, a 33-going-on-50 kinda girl.) I knew this man was the one for me. There were complications -- age difference, distance, previous marriages, etc -- but things that had once seemed dealbreakers were suddenly just parts of the relationship to work through.
And while I also knew that he made less money than me, but I had no idea about the REAL realities of his financial situation until a year and a half into our relationship. All was revealed on a post-dinner walk when he broke down (yes, into tears) and admitted that he had significant debt. I, like most people here, have been suuuuuuper responsible with money -- hearing that he had, all told, around $40k in debt (mostly credit card, ouch, plus about $8k on his ex-wife's car, lovely) (PLUS $1400/mo in child support) made my guts clench. He was 47 at the time. I spent months in a panic: how could we have a future together with this burden? How am I supposed to help him with this problem?? Did I even know who he truly was??!
Once I got over my own panic and started to have gentle, awkward conversations with money, I certainly gained more empathy -- it was the bumps in his own life (divorce and child support) that put him in this situation. [Much like your gf's student loans and small CC debt. Like others have said, it's well documented that student loan servicers routinely provide misinformation/straight up lie to their customers in order to prevent pay-off programs. As a person working in the public sector as well, I'm familiar with her program, and I know that a tiny fraction of people actually benefit from the 120 payment loan forgiveness program because of these shady servicers]
For us/me, I eventually decided that our future together was more important than short-term savings. He moved in to my apartment, and I continued to pay my housing as normal. I could afford it before, and I can afford it now. While we split groceries, I pick up most of the tabs for eating out and other luxuries. On top of this, I have also buckled down to save more cash to help for his debts. I know that many people would disagree with this--I didn't think I would at first, either, don't @ me -- but this is going to significantly help. On top of everything else I've paid for, I've also socked away an additional $10 in cash, which I will be dumping into his biggest credit card. I plan to do it again next year. By doing this, we will have everything paid off by the end of 2020. CLEAN SLATE CITY, USA.
Look, I know that I've been doing the right thing; I know he's made bad decisions about money. I, too, have struggled with him making extraneous purchases. But through this process, we've had many conversations about money -- at first, difficult and awkward, but by now, easier and more natural. Both his and my own lazy money habits have come under new scrutiny, for the benefit of both of us. For example: those unnecessary splurges that have always made me bristle (for him, records) have become a point of actual discussion. And through this discussion/transparency, his habits have changed. Ultimately, our relationship is SO much better for it.
There are people in this thread that would/do say 'run,' but that disregards the actual humanity of the situation. People are more important than money. Our relationships are more important than money. We work hard and save hard so that we can enjoy more time with the people that are important to us. My goal is to retire at the same time as my partner. His military pension kicks in at 60, and he's 12 years older than me. I'd like to be able to work at least part-time starting at 48 at that point. We've got 10 years to buckle down and use these newfound skills of money communication and frugality as a couple.
Dealing with my partner's debt has just made it clearer how much I love him, and how committed we are for the long term. You wouldn't be panicking about your gf's debt if you weren't imagining a serious, long-term future with her, either. Right now, your girlfriend's debt brings her panic and shame. Let her know how much you love her, that you love her more than you love your money, and that you are her partner in navigating this situation.