I have heard some student loan horror stories this week, as part of the research for an article that I'm writing. Here's some advice that I've picked up and I thought I would pass it along:

1. Be careful of Associates degress from community colleges in special fields, like medical technician or fashion. Those degrees are fine, if you a 100% certain that you're going to go into those fields, but if you change your mind, none of those credits will transfer. If you are uncertain, then get a general associates degree, so the gen ed credits will transfer to the next college. Liberal arts classes will transfer, but nothing else.

2. Be careful of terminal masters programs that aren't really necessary in your chosen profession. 

3. Hunt down your faculty advisor and double, no triple, check that you are taking the correct classes in the correct order. Even plan out the following semester of classes and have them eyeball it. Take notes in your discussion. The best way to keep loans managable is to finish in four years.

4. Live at home.

5. Keep track of your loans. Make the Financial Aid office tally up your total amount of loans, including loans from others schools. Make them tell you exactly how much you'll pay on monthly basis once you graduate. Find out if your loans are accruing interest, while you are in school. 

6. Work when you're in school. But not too much, otherwise you'll interfere with rule #3.

7. Try not to transfer. Credits will be lost and it will add time onto your college career. 

8. Figure out what you want to do as quickly as possible, talk to people who do that sort of work, and confirm with them that you are on the right educational track. 

9. Shop around for colleges and see which school will offer you the best deal. Even if you are limited, because you have to live from home, there are usually at least a couple of schools that you can attend. Which school has the best four year graduation rate? Best faculty? Cheapest tuition? Can you get a needs based scholarship at any of those schools? Do your homework.