I actually just finished reading an article on moneycentral.msn.com on this exact subject.
Entire article here:
The Insiders Guide to Student LoansExcerpt here:
QUOTE
An insider's guide to student loans
If you need to borrow money for your education, someone will lend it to you. Here's what you need to consider before you commit.
By Liz Pulliam Weston
...
How much should you borrow?
If you're a student, you should generally limit your debt so that your loan payments after you graduate don't eat up more than 10% of your expected monthly income. Figure you'll pay $10 to $12 per month for every $1,000 you borrow if you repay the loan over a 10-year period.
If the math makes your head hurt, you can just use the rule of thumb that you shouldn't borrow more in total for your education than you expect to make your first year out of school.