You are surely correct. That is not the angle I had in mind. More of a 'school loans should not be thought of as a fountain of magical money -- you'll have to

You are surely correct. That is not the angle I had in mind. More of a 'school loans should not be thought of as a fountain of magical money -- you'll have to pay it back. Think hard about it' kind of perspective. It is possible to scale back your social life to work a bit and/or remember choice in school to keep the price in check. Or give thought to your major and prospect for paying it back with a typical career track. Or (probably as a side note (unfortunately?) when talking with permission of a high school counselor) taking up a trade that does not require as much formal schooling...