Do you pay student loans while in school or after you graduate?

Federal student loans may be deferred until you graduate or drop below half time. However, if your loan is unsubsidized, interest will accrue from the time the loan is disbursed, even if the loan is deferred and you aren't making payments until you graduate. Once the loan enters repayment (6 months after you graduate), that accumulated interest will be added to the principal of the loan, so you'll pay back more than you actually borrowed. If your loan is subsidized, there is no interest until you enter repayment. If your loan is a private student loan from a bank or credit union, it would depend on the terms of your particular loan, but most reputable student loan lenders do have an option to defer payment until graduation. Most loans also have an option to pay interest only while you are in school, and that's a good idea if you can afford it.

You pay the loans after you leave school. Whether you graduate or not. You make no payments as long as you are in school. If you drop out, you still have to pay.

This is explained in detail on the financial aid web sites.

A federal student loan and a private student loan comes due six months after your graduate or if your drop out.

So if you go four years and graduate in May, you will start paying off all student loans in November

Don't ever pay them off. That way, if you are ever lost in a desert island, they'll find you.