 TITLE: How Does Your Major Affect How Much You Should Borrow in Student Loans? CONTENT: What to Consider When Deciding How Much to Take Out in Student Loans\n--------------------------------------------------------------------\nYour expected salary is an important indicator of how much you may be able to afford in student loan payments, but that doesn't mean you should borrow as much as you think you'll be able to repay. First you need to understand your financial needs as well as what you can do to secure income from other sources to reduce the amount you'll have to borrow. Here are some more factors to consider:\n*   **Cost of attendance**: The cost of attending college is more than just tuition and fees. You'll also need to pay for supplies, books, housing, food, transportation and more. Also, some colleges are more expensive than others. Your university will provide an estimated cost of attendance, which can give you more insight into how much your college experience will cost.\n*   **Employment income**: If you're working during school, you can use that money to reduce your need for student loans.\n*   **Scholarships and grants**: These sources are the best way to pay for college because they don't require you to pay any money back. Also, most scholarships and grants don't have tax implications, so you don't have to worry about that expense either. Apply for scholarships and grants through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), directly with your school and with private organizations through websites like Scholarships.com and Fastweb.\n*   **College savings**: If you or your parents have managed to set aside money to help pay for college, those funds can make a big difference in how much you need to borrow in student loan debt.\nIn general, the more money you can get from sources that don't require repayment, the better off you'll be in the long term. END