are student loans a viable option?

Are student loans a viable option? Dont you think its an unhealthy practice of pushing young students to debts early in their life?

YES !!
im in school for nursing and I have my parents on a $13000 loan and myself in a $4000 loan! so terrible but theres no other way to get the money financial aids only gives so much. = /

Instead of taking out a loan I worked my way through school. I often worked full time and only took one class so it took me 12 years to finish my bachelor's degree but when I did finish I already had years of experience in my field.

I do know some people who have graduated with a large student loan debt and years have gone by without them finding good enough a job to make payments on their loan. If you can't find a well paying job you can get deferments on your loan but the interest still accumulates. I've read that some young people saddled with this debt have resigned themselves to never being able to own a house or save for retirement.

You do need to think seriously about taking out a student loan.

Well I mean if you want to go to school but dont have the grades for the scholarship...
I mean atleast student loans are an option, where I come from either you have the money or you have the grades, otherwise you can't go to school. Atleast you have the option of getting a loan...

I used to work for a large international bank that allowed me to see serious debts in 60thousands. One guy had a mortgage of a loan a whopping $180,000 and he kept putting off paying with all kinds of deferments and forbearances. I hate to see what will happen after he finally starts paying. I don't think he can.

Make up your minds what you really want to study otherwise making student loan debts is crazy. Use it wisely and only if you really need it. I think they are okay for short term programs not longterm.