By Sarah Carlson, Student Reporter

Car payment: $315; share of rent: $127.25; groceries: $109.46; Sing Song: $40. Using student loans to cover these items: not so priceless.

Many students are using student loans to cover the cost of items outside of tuition, which is legal, but financial aid advisers are warning them to be careful.

For some students, using student loan money for everyday needs comes as an alternative to working full time or having their parents make payments.

Several students refused to comment on this issue because they were unsure of whether or not their use of loans for purposes outside of school was legal.

Melissa Mitchell, senior elementary education major from Grand Prairie, said she uses her loan money to pay rent, buy groceries and pay for events such as Sing Song.

“It is a last resort, and it is also to make it easier on myself to not have to juggle school and a job,” Mitchell said.

Student Financial Services has a suggested budget that considers tuition, room and board, transportation and other fees to be given to students.

A limited amount of money exists that students can borrow for an undergraduate degree, and initially that money is for the student’s use for school and whatever else is necessary.

As for spending the remainder of the loans on items outside of school, Financial Services counselor Debbie Oliver said it could cause problems for students.

“I wouldn’t advise it because, in a sense, they are living beyond their means,” Oliver said. “They need to really watch closely at what their payments are going to be when they are out of school.”

Oliver said that due to the current state of the economy, loans at low interest rates are easier to obtain.

Oliver also said she advises that students should save leftover loan money for the next year, use it toward summer school or have it sent back to the loan entity to pay off the loan.