<p>Around 77 percent of the loans are subsidized. My parents likely will not be able to help. I plan on grad school. Is it too much? How much is too much?</p>
<p>18K for 4 years isn’t bad at all. It gets to be too much when it starts going over the stafford limits of around 25K total for 4 yrs.</p>
<p>that’s not bad…</p>
<p>What is your major? If you’re going to major in art or music, it could be an issue. </p>
<p>What does your aid package look like and what is the cost breakdown of the school?</p>
<p>^Truthfully, if the art or music programs are from top tier programs, that’s still a manageable debt load – earnings from some of those programs can be higher than the average person believes 
Still, the way I always explain to students is that in the $22,000 - 24,000 max stafford range, over 10 years, you’re looking at about the equivalent of a car payment (eg. $260 - 280 a month). So, you need to plan on getting by with second hand cars and affordable housing while you’re mowing down the debt -l- and then you’re free ;)</p>
<p>Those payments will be “after taxes,” so you have to earn about $300 to net $250 for your payment, every month, for ten years. If you marry someone with similar debt, double the payment. You will need to get a job right out of school to start making these payments. Is borrowing your only option?</p>