FREE Application for Federal Student Aid. Free is a really good thing. That's one reason to start with FAFSA.

Also, FEDERAL LOANS are great. I went into default a few years ago and then rehabilitated my loans to get them back in good standing. If you look at the agreement you sign, if you default, you are on the hook for more than 16%+++ as a collection fee. But collection fees on FEDERAL LOANS are currently being waved in rehab. Since my loans were FEDERAL, this rule saved me many thousands of dollars.

Also, only FEDERAL LOANS are eligible for a "REPAYE" payment plan, an extremely generous FEDERAL LOAN repayment plan which I'm applying for now. If my payment, which might be zero, doesn't cover interest charges, that are compounding my FEDERAL LOANS monthly, the FEDERAL government pays 100% of the interest for up to three years on subsidized loans, and 50% of all remaining interest indefinitely. If I'm approved and have ~0 payment, my interest is going to accumulate at only about $35 PER YEAR.

And the interest rate on my FEDERAL LOANS is only 2.65%

So, in sum:

FEDERAL LOANS = YES!!!!

PRIVATE LOANS = you poor bastard

I know that you're destined to make billions as a filmmaker and investment banker, which bikini clad waitresses serving you margaritas poolside as you plot your next move as a vulture capitalist, but in the meantime, you definitely want to apply for your FEDERAL LOANS.