College is expensive, it is a simple fact. College costs keep going up and most people can’t afford it without taking out loans. If they are lucky they can pay for it all with savings, scholarships, financial aid, and grants. Loans are the most popular type of aid for college and most students will graduate with some student loans.

How much are your student loans worth? Did you graduate with a lot of debt? When you went looking for loans, the first loan you got was probably the government Stafford Loan because of the low rate. If you have financial need, you can get the Subsidized Stafford Loan which allows you to not pay interest on it while you are in college.

Besides government loans, there are other lending options. You can go through a student loan service, get a personal loan, have your parents get a loan, take out a second mortgage, or use credit cards. I suggest that you don’t take out a second mortgage and that you NEVER use a credit card to pay for college.

Another way to save for college is to go to a cheaper school. Most cheaper schools are state schools. Don’t think that cheap means lower quality. They only cost less because the also get money from the government. Many state schools are even better than a lot of more expensive private schools.

If you really want to minimize your student loan debt, change your college choice. There is no reason to go to a really expensive school unless you either get a full ride there or you are a genius and just most go Ivy League.

You can save even more money if you go to a community college for two years first and then transfer to a state school. State schools are cheap, but community colleges (which are state schools too, but they are only two years as opposed to four) are often have the price.

If you can, go to a school nearby, live at home and commute. You can save a lot of money not having to pay for room and board. Many people find living in dorms overrated anyway. At my college, most students ended up getting their own apartments after the first year because they didn’t like the dorms. If you stay at home, your parents will continue to support you just as they were before and it won’t cost you extra for school fees.

Another way to help pay for college is to get a job. Get a part time job during school to at least pay for all your daily expenses and books. If you are a good saver, you can even stash some away for tuition.