Going to a Pennsylvania College for the next four years. need some advice on loans
I'm gonna be a freshman in college soon with no prior student loan experience and I'm trying not to get screwed over. My major is cybersecurity with a science degree so my school's total cost of attendance comes out to about $22k per year after any grants/scholarships roughly 11k I have (includes tuition, on-campus dorm, meal plan, and transportation, etc).
I'm looking at Sallie Mae private loans to cover the gap but I have zero knowledge here. ;-;
Is borrowing this much private per year reasonable? Should I max federal loans first? Any red flags I should watch for? I'm having my mother co-sign for me as well but her credit isn't that great either and didn't finish college iirc. I also don't know if i should just take it up the arse and do monthly payments and work my ass off during school which is what i really don't want to do because i think my studies matter more. On the other hand, im not even gonna be able to go to college if i have no money from working so... again any possible advice? Thank you in advance!