<prompt> Human: So heres the deal: thanks to a very generous grandma I made it out of college with zero debt. I taught abroad for a year, got a solid GRE score and am about to do an International MBA at Florida International University. This an amazing opportunity for me.However, I am freaking the fuck out about it. I have never gone to the bank for a loan and I have no idea how that process works at all. Is there any shopping around process? To be perfectly frank, I feel a little bit overwhelmed by the thought of it all. What is the benefit of going through a bank vs. going through the FIU system for cash? My father said that he will be willing to help a little bit- where is the best place to use that help?About my financial situation: I have zero debt from anything else, and my income was paid in rubles last year which makes it look small about 650 a month. Does this have an effect on anything?I would like to say a pre-emptive thank you to everyone.Assistant: Your options should include federal loans and private loans. Federal loans are generally the better option because you can enroll in various income based repayment plans should you find that necessary. Private loans are not eligible for income based repayment plans. You should file the FAFSA to see what federal aid you qualify for. For private student loans, you can definitely shop around and see what kind of interest rates you are qualified for. If you have minimal credit history or a low credit score, you may need a cosigner with better credit.Also, are you sure you want to pursue an MBA at Florida International University? Have you seen their dreadful placement statistics? According to US News, only 27.3 of MBA grads have a job at graduation, and the average base salary for MBA grads is only 34,750. Florida International University appears to have one of the worst MBA placement rates in the country. I wouldnt recommend you enroll in that program, even if it were free. Human: I appreciate the response. I will look into federal loans, and my sister has some experience with FAFSA and was going to help me out with that. I have seen them. According to this they are doing quite well for themselves and are 15 for international business programs. I also didnt get in to my first choice school, South Carolina.  <response>: Sorry to be negative but I second the comment by ClearwaterRev. The only things that matter for MBA programs is brand, selectivity and alumni network. Other than the top top schools HBS, Wharton Stanford, and the likes, MBA programs have been shown to be poor investments from an ROI point of view when you factor in lost income. Use the time and money to travel and see the world instead! 