How Much to Borrow?

[Dr JPH]

I have been told by a few people that I should take out the maximum Stafford allows.

I figure after tuition and things, I should have enough left over to cover all living expenses.

So...do most people take out the maximum, get the debt, and pay it off?

 

[lilycat]

The general "rule" is to "only borrow what you need."

However, most students that I know, who aren't being subsidized by family, borrow the max. the first year, and use that to guage how much they really "need." If you can survive on less than you have borrowed, you can always return some of it, or take less the following semesters.