Student loans are money that you borrow to help you pay for college. When you take out a student loan, you're agreeing to pay back the loan with interest after you graduate. The school you attend or the government will give you the money, and you can use it to pay for tuition, fees, room, and board. When the loan is due, you'll need to make payments on it until it's paid off. It's important to understand the terms of any loan before taking one out, because if you don't make your payments, it can affect your credit score.