Guidelines for a student financial counseling and debt management program from high school through graduate school are provided. A brief history on government aid for postsecondary education and student loan default is included. Publications and other ways that can help students make career decisions are identified. A plan for meeting tuition, living expenses, and other costs is provided, and a financial counseling program is proposed that covers three stages: before and after college admission, and after graduation. Rights and responsibilities of aid recipients are also specified. Charts and graphs to calculate manageable student debt are included, along with examples. Attention is also directed to: alternative financing methods and creative financing programs at various colleges; techniques and resources to avoid unmanageable debt, case studies of students who were successful/unsuccessful in student financial plans; the major financial aid programs; and applying for financial aid. Publications on student aid are listed, along with lists of state educational agencies, Guaranteed Student Loan program agencies, U.S. Department of Education regional offices, military aid programs, aid programs for special groups, and other sources of financial aid. A glossary is appended. (SW)