<prompt> Human: I have been dating my girlfriend for over three years now. we live together and have dog. we are both somewhat recent college grads. I am paid hourly and because of the nature of my job my gross yearly income fluctuates quite a bit. If I am busy I can gross over 50K; however my yearly income may be as low as 30K. I think my girlfriends current yearly gross is around 30k. She is not very open about her finances. She is interested in furthering her education but she will require loans in order to do so. Her credit is a wreck. Because of this she needs a cosigner. the salie mae loan can can have a starting variable interest rate as high as 12. Is this standard? If I do cosign and the Interest rate is still starts this high can she opt out of receiving the loan? once she earns her masters her earning potential significantly increases but I am worried the loan might bury us before her earnings potential is realized.so personal finance wizards what would you do?EDIT:How would cosigning the loan effect my credit?  <response>: Ill give you the advice that you dont want to hear that pretty much everyone here will agree with.Dont cosign on a loan for someone youre not married to. Ever.Yes, that even means your mother. Especially family, oh god the people who have been ruined for attempting to help out their family.It would affect your credit by showing it as an account youre responsible for. If she stops paying it, you guys break up, or anything happens, YOU are responsible for that debt as much as she is. Dont do it.You can help her by giving her money to help pay it, help her find the best financing, help her in any way whatsoever you can that doesnt attach your name to the loan. 