By carefully choosing student loans, grants, and scholarships as part of your entire college financial aid package, you can avoid going into heavy college debt. Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for US News, discusses financial aid tips to help in paying for college and minimizing student debt and the differences between private loans and federal college loans. For more college financial aid advice go to www.usnews.com

Yep, I was accepted to a study abroad program in Brisbane, Australia. I want to go so incredibly badly, and I have a few leads on scholarships, but I really need some alternatives to private loans. I also don’t have Pell Grant, so I can’t get the Gill. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me!