Should I pay accruing interest on my unsubsidized student loans while still in school?

If you can afford it, yes. Unsubsidized federal loans accrue interest from the day they're disbursed, and if you don't pay it, that interest capitalizes, meaning it gets added to your principal when repayment begins. After capitalization, you pay interest on a larger balance, so unpaid interest effectively starts earning interest against you. Making small interest-only payments during school, even $25 to $50 a month, prevents this snowball and can save hundreds or thousands over the loan's life. Subsidized loans don't have this problem because the government covers interest while you're enrolled at least half-time. If cash is truly tight, prioritize essentials, but revisit interest payments once you have income. The Debt Payoff Calculator at wealthserene.com/tools/debt-payoff can show how in-school payments shrink your total cost.