The Guerrilla Guide to Mastering Student Loan Debt

In a panic when facing consolidation of over $100,000 in student loans, I stumbled upon this great book. I then postponed reading it, fearing what I would learn. But, I did read it, and discovered I couldn't put it down. This book makes sense of the history of student loans and how to understand and get through the loan process. There is a wealth of resources, suggestions and information about how to live with student loans and NOT lose your sanity. Schools do NOT adequately prepare students to understand what they are getting into, much less how to manage loan repayment. I only wish I the book had been written before I started my graduate program. It is especially helpful to have this information BEFORE you sign for any student loan.

I read this book right before going through the consolidation process. I have a student loan over the $100,000 mark. This book was unbelievably helpful - easy to read, clear, humorous, and hopeful. It allowed me to take control of the process and make an educated decision about repayment. I read it through in about 2 days, then re-read it several times. After I read it, I emailed it to all of my friends in graduate school (and recently graduated). It's helped all of us. It was the only thing out there that broke it down and explained it all to me while also offering practical advice. It was the only one that addressed the emotional issues around student loans as well - at least someone else out there knew how it felt! It's a great book and I highly recommend it.

In my opinion, the text of this book is completely within the grasp of those young persons who clearly need it most. A comprehensive, for the most part even-handed treatment of the subject.

My daughter has just started medical school. I spotted this in a glowing Sunday NY Times Business section book review. I've bought and am reading the book first, after which I will pass it on to her. However, I'm getting a little worried it will scare her to death. The author does her best to keep the reader relaxed, but she never promises to make one's loan go away either, and the amounts of money involved in a typical professional school loan are definitely immense. The first chapter is a bit slow, boring hard-sell, "this is the book you need, I'm going to tell you everything you need to know, etc., etc." (OK, so get on with it!) But after that it's hard to put down. Now if the author would only tackle the health insurance scene...

As a recent U.C. Berkeley graduate who is now putting my husband through film school, this book really helped us understand the loans that will be dogging us well through our thirties. It contains all the essential information that your school or loan officer won't tell you. It also explains how to defend yourself if you can't pay, and what your rights are-- something the loan officers DEFINITELY won't tell you. It also explains the difference between the dozens of different loans that may be offered to you... Direct Stafford, PLUS, Perkins, etc. This should absolutely be required reading for anyone taking out... or paying back... a student loan