I was a first time XXXX student. I was offered a private student loan with " similar terms '' to a federal student loan. What was not clearly explained is this loan included compounding interest, not simple interest. And, that there were major restrictions on deferment and forbearance options. Therefore, when I was in school finishing my degree. And, later earning my XXXX, this loan would not defer and had no forbearance options. For a new XXXX student, the loan documents and language were too complex. The ramifications were devastating : An $ 30k loan that doubled to almost $ 60k, then went into default while I was still in school XXXX.