There are many different ways to get money to pay for college. You might be one of those lucky students who get to go to college for free. You might also have rich or kind parents who are willing or able to pay the bills.
But many students don't have it so easy. Most of the above sources of money won't pay the whole bill, but only a part of it. Even if all of your tuition is paid for, you still need money for rent, books, entertainment, and other costs of living.
Employment
You could possibly get a job. All students should try to do this, but it isn't always easy. Some colleges are far away from places where people can get jobs. Employers are sometimes hesitant to hire students because they often can't work full time and won't be around during the holidays. If you do get a job, it probably won't be the best-paying job in the world, and you shouldn't work more than part time. Don't forget that your main goal in college is to get good grades. Working 40 hours a week just to pay your tuition would be counterproductive.
Loans
So, student loans will be the only way for many students to pay for college. Going into debt is always a commitment, and it can be especially stressful if you haven't started working yet and aren't sure how you'll pay back the loans. Student loans, on the other hand, are better in a number of ways than regular loans. First, both the rates and the terms are better. Student loans are likely to have much lower interest rates than most other loans. They will also give you a lot of time to find a job after you finish your studies. This means that they won't be due right after they graduate.
The time you have to pay back student loans is probably the most fair and patient you'll ever get. These rates and terms show how much faith lenders have in the students of today. They know that college is a good investment in the long run and that most graduates will be able to pay back their loans if given enough time.
