Gwendolyn

Oh, and about the whole "art supplies" vs. student loan thing.........if you aren't bringing in much of an income (living expenses and not much else) after you graduate and the loans come due, you can apply for what's called "hardship deferral". Because while getting out of debt is obviously important, what's more important is not going further into debt by borrowing money to buy equipment. So to be able to buy that stuff with cash, it would certainly not be the end of world to deferr your student loan!