Occam's Razor says that the simple explanation is usually the most accurate one...this is otherwise known as "keep it simple, stupid". Obama borrowed money, like most college students, and paid it back when he was able. According to Michelle Obama, as reported by FOX: "when she and her husband left law school, the monthly payments on their school loan debt was more than their monthly mortgage payment. She said they only got out of that debt when Barack Obama wrote his two books, "The Audacity of Hope" and "Dreams from My Father."