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Most parents would prefer that students enter college on a full scholarship. The harsh reality is that few students do. How do you make up the difference? Students and parents take out loans. Student loans are usually a part of most financial aid packages. Ideally, you should try and graduate with minimal debt. But sometimes loans can supplement scholarships, work study and merit aid.

Here’s the problem, however. When you start sifting through all the words and the small print, it can be a bit overwhelming. You should never borrow any college money without reading the fine print. Parents and students need to understand what they are signing and how the amount will have to be repaid. You can’t just look at the current situation when deciding. You have to look at the future and how that debt will affect the student.

Don’t sign on the dotted line before checking out Zinch’s high school blog on how to sift through the student loan terminology.