Governed university student in debt? (5)
I believe the answer is:
ruled
'governed' is the definition.
('rule' can be a synonym of 'govern')
'university student in debt?' is the wordplay.
'university' becomes 'u' (abbreviation for university).
'student' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'debt?' becomes 'red' ('in the red' means 'in debt').
'u'+'l'='ul'
'ul' put inside 'red' is 'RULED'.
(Other definitions for ruled that I've seen before include "Reigned - lined - decided" , "Exercised control over" , "Were tops" , "(Of writing paper) having printed lines" , "Held the reins" .)