Student loans are some of the most challenging financial problems people will have to deal with.

They often grow to disproportionately high amounts, and more than a few former end up finding themselves buried under a mountain of debt in certain worse case scenarios.

Because of this reality, it is important to understand what things students can do to potentially avoid or at least minimize the potentially harmful effects of taking on student loans.

Prevention is often the cure, and that philosophy also applies to student loans. If at all possible, a student looking to attend college has to exhaust every avenue possible in an attempt to avoid taking on a loan. Whether it's a scholarship or through financial support, if any other method of payment is possible, then it would be well worth the trouble of exploring.

Students should be careful when seeking out scholarships however, as not all of them are legitimate, according to Omaha.com. Any scholarship offer that involves the student either surrendering his or her credit card number or any advance payments warrant skepticism and should be avoided.

If it turns out that the student has no other option then to take a student loan, then there are still things that can be done to avoid financial problems down the line.

First off, students should look into what financial aid packages are being offered by different schools, according to the Huffington Post. These offers typically vary from one establishment to the next, so figuring out which one can end up helping more over the long haul is something that demands to be known.

Students should also take a close look at different private loans they can potentially sign up for. Not all lenders offer similar loan terms, with some designed to take advantage of the student and some designed to help, understanding the difference between the two could make the difference between tons of debt after or school or a relatively easy payment to be made.

Students also need to keep constantly updated regarding their loans. They need to find out if rates are changing or if there may have been elements of the deal that have materially changed over time. Something so simple almost seems like it doesn't need to be said, but an extra dose of attentiveness does help with managing student loans.

Lastly, students need to be fiscally responsible during college, and try to live below what their money affords them to, according to the Daily Herald. This simply means excessive shopping or spending way too much even on food and other amenities has to be avoided at all costs.

Following these tips won't guarantee a debt-free ride through college, but it should make things significantly easier.