I cosigned my ex’s loans and need to get off, help!!

So, I don’t use Reddit but I don’t have people in my life who have had experience with this, so alas, I have made an account. Long story short, me and my ex lived together at the time and they were off and on working (mostly off). I was only making minimum wage so I wasn’t able to support both of us. They got some additional school loans to help supplement my income which I cosigned on. I know it was stupid but I was naive enough to think we would be together forever.

Now, we broke up over a year ago and the interest is about to kick in on the loans since they graduated Spring 2025. I called the loan provider (Sallie Mae if anyone has experience) and they gave me the list of things they would need to be able to remove cosigners completely. One of which is they have to have a history of 12 on-time payments with interest (so the grace-period payments my ex has made don’t count). I also asked if we could change the cosigner so that there is someone else on the loan just not me but the representative said that we can’t change cosigners.

My ex literally told me that they won’t be able to afford the loans when the interest kicks in so I am freaking out. Is there any other way I can remove myself or other creative solution? Or if I have to wait the 12 months, what is the best way to go about this? I understand if I have screwed myself, I just wanted other perspectives so that I don’t mess things up further.

I appreciate any insight you can provide or any experiences you have had :)