I too had to work full time while attending college. During one orientation (for the area of study I had been considering) they urged 50+ kids to not work and move back home with mommy & daddy to ensure they’d be able to tackle the demands of the program. I was outraged. Unlike most of my peers I didn’t have parents to fall back on. It was me taking care of my family — always had been. As for student loans, I’m disgusted with it as a whole. I’ve paid and overpaid for years only to see minuscule declines in my interest as a “reward” and what I don’t get is — for some — if they would simply lower the interest rate it would make a world of difference. I have a good job, great credit, and even I can’t qualify for one of those highly touted consolidation loans. The interest rate they offer me is MORE than what my student loan interest is now. WTF?! If you read consumer reports on most of these companies offering consolidation — claiming they can save you thousands — you’ll find plenty of people with the same complaint. Can’t qualify for the better rates unless they are making 6 figures. Who, fresh out of college, is making 6 figures?