If you need to borrow for college, federal loans are a good way to go. There are flexible repayment terms tied to your income, so that when you are first starting out in your career, you can opt for a lower payment to allow you to actually be able to pay your payment amount. It’s always best to pay as much as you can, as quickly as you can, to pay the least amount in the long term. However, having flexibility when you need it is a good thing. Keeping borrowing to a minimum is always smart, but federal loans can make college possible for many who would otherwise not be able to afford it.