It's always fairly easy to spend other people's money.
What you are suggested may not be your best option when it is the camera someone else would prefer to own. So take any recommendation- even my own - with a grain of salt.
The current SL1 is Canon's lowest priced DSLR.
It is capable of image quality essentially identical (for all but the most advanced shooter in all but the most uncommon instances) to any other consumer grade DSLR Canon presently produces.
I'll say it again; it is capable of image quality essentially identical (for all but the most advanced shooter in all but the most uncommon instances) to any other consumer grade DSLR Canon presently produces.
The skills and creativity of the user will far surpass the differences in Canon's DSLR camera line after you have used the SL1.
The SL1 menus are somewhat less accessible for fine adjustments - most of which a student will be a long time accessing or are a one time set and forget option - than are the menus found on more expensive Canon DSLR's.
That, IMO, is it's most significant knock.
The touch screen technology of the SL1 though often makes it the more useful camera in many situations.
The SL1 has a fixed LCD screen vs a movable LCD.
How important this might be is completely dependent upon how you prefer to use the camera. The SL1's viewfinder is as good as you will find on Canon's DSLR's IMO.
IMO - and, of course, my opinion has been influenced by what I own - you can buy a SL1 for low dollars and have a base line camera that will take photos as good as your are capable of taking.
You will have money left over for better lenses and accessories which will more than compensate for any technical disadvantages to a "budget" camera.
Shop Canon's refurbished on line site;
Canon EOS SL1 18-55 IS STM Lens Kit Refurbished | Canon Online Store
That price is about $150 below typical retail for the SL1 with a kit lens. The kit lens included in that deal is very good.
You'll still have a one year warranty from Canon on refurbished cameras.
$150 will go a long way towards other items you'll want in the future.
All that said, buying on line is often not the best option for a student. If you buy locally, you can find local after-the-sale assistance from a good, local independent camera shop. It will cost you a bit more but such advice and information can prove to be priceless for the average student photographer.
DPReview Gear of the Year: Canon Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D
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(BTW, you can buy the SL1 and still afford a Canon "S" series camera. While not a DSLR in the strictest sense, it is a great little carry around, in your pocket "enthusiast" camera with very good image quality and the mechanics of a traditional DSLR. You'll get shots your classmates with the big and bulky DSLR's can't take simply because you can have an S series Canon with you at all times. Just my opinion.)