13 Tips to Help You Graduate from College Debt Free

Today, many college students graduate burdened by $20,000 or more of debt. While graduating from college debt free may seem like an impossible dream, there are ways to reduce college costs and to pay-as-you-go that can help to minimize or even eliminate your debt burden at graduation. Here are 13 tips for a low-debt or debt free graduation.

1. Lower tuition costs by accumulating college credits while you are still in high school. One way to reduce college costs is to earn college credits while you are in high school by taking some college-level courses at a local community college. Not only will this save on tuition, but the discipline and rigor required to pass community college-level courses may help you excel academically in college.

2. Save on tuition by"testing-out" of some courses, if possible. If you excel in certain subjects, find out whether the college you plan to attend will give you credit if you pass a subject-specific test. Also, some schools accept credits earned by passing College Level Examination tests on specific subjects.

3. Look for three-year bachelor's degree programs, which are offered by some schools.

4. Start your college career at a community college and then transfer the credits earned there to a four-year college. Investigate the four-year school's credit transfer policies ahead of time to ensure that all your community college credits can go with you.

5. Seek out less expensive schools with great academic reputations, including in-state schools.

6. Work part time while you are in college. To ensure that work doesn't interfere with your academic achievement, start by working a limited number of hours each week, then add more hours over time if you can.

7. Get to know the staff in your college's work/study department and be sure that they know the kinds of jobs that most interest you so that you will get the first call when a great job comes in.

8. Get all the free money that you can. There may be more grant and scholarship money out there than your realize. Do your own research on the internet or at the public library and talk to your high school advisor about the best grants and scholarships for you. When you get to college, introduce yourself to the staff of the financial aid office, stay in touch with them regularly throughout your college career, and take advantage of the resources they have to offer.

9. Explore loan forgiveness options (such as the AmeriCorps program) if you need loans to help financial your studies.

10. Learn to budget. Set a monthly budget and live by it. Look for ways to minimize incidental expenses, such as cell phone bills, music downloads, clothing purchases, restaurant and fast-food purchases, and coffee or soft drinks.

11. Save on housing costs. Living at home is perhaps the biggest money saver. But if you go away to school, living off campus and sharing an apartment with other students can also help to slash housing costs. Another alternative is to investigate becoming a dorm assistant, which may include room and board.

12. Don't take a car to school.

13. Save on text books by buying used books, sharing books with other students who will be taking the same course as you will a semester sooner or later than you, or renting books. Also, raise money by selling text books you no longer need.

Sources:

Donna Freedman, articles.moneycentral.msn.com, Student aid: College education possible without debt - MSN Money

Grace Fleming, homeworktips.about.com, Dual Enrollment - Joint Enrollment in High School and College

www.americorps.gov, AmeriCorps.gov, AmeriCorps State and National