I totally agree that a *little* debt can be a good thing. For one thing, when the student knows that they are financially responsible, and not having everything handed to them, it makes them appreciate education more. They're really invested in it then. But also, the responsibility of having and repaying a loan is an important life lesson with true benefits.
When DD graduated college, she lived at home for six months while searching for a good job. Got the job - and her driver's license - and was able to go out and buy herself a car with no co-signer because she had a great credit score from always paying her credit card on time and being ahead on her student loans. Ditto for the apt...no problem qualifying as a renter.
DS, on the other hand, always pays cash...and consequently had trouble getting a credit card. Even after he bought his house (though he didn't pay cash for that - got a mortgage). He even bought his brand-new car with cash - no loan. But couldn't get a cell phone without a credit card, and had trouble qualifying for the card for several years -- believe it or not, since we all get multiple offers every day in the mail. He did, too, and filled them out, but got declined repeatedly. So just getting that junk mail is no guarantee of actually getting a card. Especially if you're a single male in your early 20s!
sue