There's literally lectures and a quiz you have to pass before you can take the loans that explains how repayment and interest rates work.
For public loans the actual amount doesn't really matter because payment is income based. And the cap on lending is around $60k for 4 years, so I'd hardly use the word massive.
>"why don't you go to uni?"'
Of course all this only applies assuming you're American, which I'd guess your not since your friends call it uni.