4 strategies for avoiding taking on too much student debt in college

So, I just read this super informative article about how to avoid drowning in student debt while we’re still in college. Honestly, this is something that’s always been on my mind, especially since I come from a family where we don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on college each year.

According to the article, there are four key strategies to keep in mind. First off, it’s important to start budgeting as soon as possible, preferably before you even start college if you can. This means figuring out your expenses and finding ways to cut down on unnecessary costs. For me, that meant skipping the expensive coffee and meal plans, packing my own lunches, and finding ways to save on textbooks.

Secondly, make sure you’re not taking out more than you need in student loans. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of extra cash, but at the end of the day, you’ll be paying back that money with interest, and trust me, it’s not worth it.

Third, explore financial aid options like scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. The more free money you can get, the less you’ll have to take out in loans. I found this to be especially helpful since I come from a low-income family, and received a lot of scholarships that helped me cut down on my expenses.

And finally, always keep an eye out for opportunities to earn extra cash, like part-time jobs or paid internships. These can help offset the cost of tuition and other expenses, and also give you valuable work experience.

Overall, I found this article to be extremely helpful, and wish I had come across it sooner. While college can be a great investment in your future, it’s important to be mindful of how much debt you’re taking on. Trust me, as someone who’s been there, the last thing you want is to be burdened with student loan payments for years to come.