The max most students (dependents) can borrow across multiple years is $23,000 in Subsidized Loans and $31,000 in Subsidized + Unsubsidized Loans—independent students, however, can borrow up to $57,500 in Subsidized + Unsubsidized Loans. Graduate students can also borrow more, up to $138,500 in Subsidized + Unsubsidized Loans. PLUS Loans (made to parents and grad students) can be an option once those limits are reached.

The following groups are eligible for federal financial aid in addition to US citizens—

• Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau

• US nationals (includes natives of American Samoa or Swains Island)

• US permanent residents—who have a 'green card' (1-551, 1-551C, I-151)

• Immigrants with an Arrival Departure Record (I-94) showing refugee, asylum-granted, Cuban-Haitian entrant, or parolee status

• Immigrants with a T-visa (for victims of human trafficking)

• Battered immigrant-qualified aliens

A credit score is based on your credit history, which means you need to have done at least one of the following to start building credit:

• paid monthly bills

• opened a credit card or become an authorized user for a credit card (a store-specific credit card counts)

• used a credit card and made payments

Credit scores range between 300 and 850. A credit score around 700 is generally considered good.

Watch out: running a credit check to find out your score actually lowers your score, so you only want to do this when there's a clear purpose, like applying for a loan.

If you don't have credit yet, or your credit is low, you can always take out a loan with a cosigner.