<p>When I finished school (the first time) In 1982 I had about $10,000 in student loans on a 10 year schedule. I paid the loans off in about 6 years. I was making good progress and really made hay when my mate and I started to live together (both of us sharing expenses for only one place allowed me to save serious bucks which I applied to my student loans). I know the "best" financial plan is to pay the low interest student loan as slow as you are allowed and to invest any extra money in higher yield investments ... but I couldn't stand being in debt for college and paid the loans off ASAP.</p>