Research your school's average cost of attendance and how much student loan debt you think you can handle. Consider factors such as your field of study and estimated salaries. Next, look at your current budget and see where you can cut back, such as buying secondhand clothes or cooking at home.
Use our student loan repayment calculator to experiment with several options. For example, getting a 10-year loan means higher monthly payments, but less accrued interest over the long-term.
Once you've crunched the numbers, you should have a clearer idea of how much you can borrow responsibly. Remember, being approved for loans doesn't mean you need to accept the total amount.