<prompt> Human: Im entering my freshman year at a top-100 university this fall. Fortunately, I chose my college with finances in mind, and that combined with my parents contribution will mean I have enough saved away to comfortably graduate with no loans. However, I was offered a direct subsidized loan of 3,500 from the school. To my knowledge this does not accrue interest until 6 months after I finish. Would it be dumb to not take this loan, keep that 14,000 that would have gone to the school invested conservatively accruing interest, and then pay it all off immediately following the completion of school?Is there any downside to that thinking? I also was offered 2k in unsubsidized which I never considered taking.Thanks rpersonalfinance!  <response>: You could always take the loan as an emergency fund just in case, and then pay it back if it turns out you dont need it. The only costs are paperwork and time which are real costs!Dont worry about turning it down though - If you say no to this loan, you can still get loans next year if you have additional expenses or your financial situation changes. 