This book combines three papers whose aim is to improve the understanding of youth choices towards tertiary education, demand for student loans and aspiration to economic independence. These choices are observed in the framework of the Italian education system, labour market conditions and financial aid schemes supporting tertiary education studies. Students' behaviour is observed in relation to family circumstances, individual characteristics and preferences, as well as efforts taken by the individual to overcome personal circumstances. The book will be of interest firstly to policy makers, as an explanation of youth demand for education, student loans and economic independence. The book should be of interest also to economists, as applying new survey and research methodologies to investigate the determinants of individual choices.