Typically student loans differ from country to country. In Australia for example, students can pay for university courses using the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS). The selection criterion for HECS is based on the student's rank achieved in the secondary school final examination. HECS fees are government-subsidized, and are substantially cheaper than full-fee paying places which have lower entry requirements.

In Canada however, students are normally eligible for loans provided by the federal government, not withstanding the loan offered from province to province. The loan are amazingly interest free until the student graduates.

Students can apply to the loan through their provincial residence. The province of residence is normally the place where you lived long before you become a student.

The Canada Student Loan (CSL) provides for a maximum of $165 per week of full-time study, and more money from their province of residence. All Canadian students may also be eligible for the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation Bursary (CMS Grant), and other grants provided by their province of residence.

Almost all, charter banks in Canada have programs for professional students which can provide more funds than normal in the form of a line of credit, sometimes with lower interest rates as well. Students may also be eligible for government loans that are interest free while in school on top of this line of credit, as private loans do not count against government loans/grants.

The student in Ireland enjoy the third-level tuition to be free since 1997. For other expenses of the students, the major banks an interest free system of loan.

In New Zealand however, the student loan are offered only to tertiary students who passed the criteria imposed by the government. Full-time students can claim loans for both fees and living costs while part-time students can only claim training institution fees.

Good thing, on 2005 general election, one of the policy from the Labor Party is that all interest charges on student loans should be abolished.

In United States, loans come in many form in this country. Noted are the forms and kinds of loans:

The Federal Student Loans made to students directly: No payments until after graduation, but amounts are quite limited.

Federal Student Loans made to parents: Much higher limit, but payments start immediately.

Private Student Loans made to students or parents: Higher limits and no payments until after graduation.

Federal student loan borrowing grew first and foremost since the utmost loan limits were increased and middle- and upper-income students became eligible for Stafford Unsubsidized Loans.

On the other hand, regardless of the increases in cumulative debt that occurred, most undergraduate loan recipients appear to be able to repay their loans with little difficulty, as long as they complete their degree programs.

However, repayment obligations are much more difficult for professional school students, who oftentimes left their institutions with debt of $100,000 or worst, more. This is also or undergraduate borrowers who do not complete degree programs.

Perhaps, more research would grant better insights and be an eye opener into how debts can affect these students after they leave higher education.