Depends on the person how long it takes to pay off the loans.
Depends how much the loans are for, how much $$$ you are making outta school, how much your bills and expenses add up to.
I say, if you can pay it off fast, do it. Many people I am sure don't pay it off nearly as fast as they could.
If you don't want to spend a small fortune (I don't lame you) you could always look into this site
http://www.acfchefs.org/Content/Educ...ps/default.htm