As a college student, you are embarking on the greatest adventure of your life.  Enjoy this opportunity and take advantage of student loans - college student loans and even private student loans.  If you have a relative who has been encouraging you to go to college and they have hinted that they'd like to help you out, set up a time to sit down and meet with them.

    Sometimes you can work out an agreement with a relative regarding the idea of taking out several small private student loans from them.  Perhaps you can ask them to help you with books and partial living expenses each year and a payment plan that works well for you and is acceptable to them.  When you borrow small amounts, it is easier to pay back than a huge amount.

    Of course you may also want to check out what opportunities you have to take out student loans from the financial aid office on campus as well.  Usually you have to apply ahead of time to guarantee that your application will be looked at in a timely fashion.  Make sure that you take this into consideration when you apply for any student loans.