There is no shame in loans, but I think you need a reality check which there is no shame in either. I work full time as an engineer and could not afford to pay for school/living expenses and it’s not like, as an undergrad, you’re going to find a job paying higher than mine let alone near it. It sucks, but college is expensive. You will need to take out loans. You can work part time to help a little, but unless your school is paid for by someone else, it’s totally acceptable and borderline expected for you to borrow. Just keep in mind, if you borrow X for a career that over its lifetime earns much less than X, then you need to plan on Pershing something more lucrative.

Get the loans, dedicate yourself, and you’ll be like the rest of us.

Educated but REAMED.