Paying for college: First you need to fill out a FAFSA and see what kind of grants you can get, for instance Pell is what you want. Also look at scholarships. After you have weeded out all the free money, then you should apply for an unsubsides Stafford loan. There are allot of if, ands, and buts to this loan, but basically if you are approved, which most people have no problem with, then you pay the loan off whenever you graduate. Like everyone said, you pay small payments every month until it is paid off, and usually this interest rate is incredibly low. Also, DO NOT LIE on your FAFSA about anything!!! Not that I have ever done this, but they randomly check behind you to make sure your answers are valid. So I would suggest not lieing about your location. Where are you planning on going to school?