Well said, Takeitallin! OP needs to sit down with son and show him on paper exactly what it will cost him to repay this loan. And as you said, OP must co-sign and they may end up paying if son is unable. I think son is seeing everything as rosy because he got into his “dream school.” Son needs to see that his dream may turn into a financial nightmare for many years after graduation! $175,000 is an incredible amount of debt to be saddled with, especially when starting out in an unpredictable job market.