Can you go to jail if you can't pay back loans, such as student loans?

Since the economy is still so horrible, and colleges and schools are still pumping out graduates who are lucky to be getting minimum wage, can one go to jail if they can’t make their loan payments, even if they are up front with the lender. Obviously if they are honest, they would not hide it. This terrifies me, because some people who even work part time or full time, still find it is not enough and does not do any good. My mom is in bankruptcy and has a lawyer, the economy terrifies me so much, that I don’t want to end up in my mom’s position, because of medical bills. I am very hesitant with loans, because I see the suicide stories for people who are in tons of debt, and let’s face it the govt. doesn’t care. However, I researched the idea, and the website I visited said debtor’s prison was outlawed in 1833.