College will arguably be the most consequential investment you will ever make in your lifetime so any cost-saving strategies you can employ will make the difference between affordable and unaffordable tuition. 

If you’re like most students then figuring out how to pay for college is probably the main source of your concern. But what if I told you there are things you can do now and during the school year to help you pay for college – and dare I say graduate debt-free? 

Here are the strategies I learned along the way and much of which allowed me to graduate with both of my undergraduate degrees without any loans – and so can you!

1. Apply for federal aid by submitting your FAFSA. The federal government is arguably the best financial institution out there because they will either offer pell grants (free money) or subsidized/unsubsidized loans at relatively low interests. Apply regardless of your socioeconomic status because in the worst-case-scenario you get nothing while in the best-case-scenario you get thousands of dollars in federal aid. The time it takes to complete an application is pretty short (~30 min) thanks to the new IRS tool which allows you to transfer all tax-related information with a simple click of a button.
2. Apply for university/departmental aid. Most universities will offer financial aid in some form (college or department-wide) and luckily many automatically consider admitted students for scholarships and require no additional applications. However, some do so remember to read the fine print. In my experience, successful recipients are the ones who have researched beforehand, and is a strategy I recommend.
3. Apply to exclusive scholarships. Most organizations (i.e., honor society, Peace/Americorps, club organizations) offer members exclusive scholarship opportunities and benefits at the national, state, and/or chapter-level so take advantage of them. 
4. Apply to local scholarships. Apply at the institution (i.e., company) or local-level (i.e., city, district, county) because there is significantly less competition so you will have a statistically higher chance of winning scholarships.
5. Negotiate your financial aid package. Great, you’ve been admitted to a college of your choice! Now what? I recommend negotiating with the financial aid office for a better deal by pitting their financial aid package against better offers you received. The worst-case scenario is that they won’t budge while in the best-case-scenario they provide you with a better package.

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6. Take AP courses. This is a no-brainer — the more college credits you earn in high school the fewer classes you will need to take in college (remember: AP credits can only help you not hurt you). This is especially beneficial for students who pay tuition by credit rather than by term since they will save more money. However, keep in mind that universities will have different policies regarding how APs are treated (college credit vs course placement) so check out this article to learn more. 
7. Stay in-state. If you’re on a tight budget then apply to a state school since in-state tuition is exponentially cheaper than private and out-of-state tuition by at least a factor of three in most cases and up to seven in some! However, it is important to note that private schools tend to offer much more lucrative financial aid packages than public institutions so compare the costs and aid from each school and choose the one that makes the most financial sense.
8. Community college. This is an appealing choice for many California residents since the first two years of community college are free! Even if you aren’t a California resident, community college is still a great way to complete undergraduate (lower-division) courses at a lower cost so when you transfer to a four-year university you will only need an additional two years instead of four. You will essentially pay a fraction of the cost for a bachelor’s degree compared to students who attended a university right after high school.
9. Rent your textbooks. Renting will not only save you on costs but the process is also straightforward. Personally, I prefer renting an electronic version because it will automatically uninstall itself on the due date so you don’t need to worry about late fees. However, if you prefer using a physical copy then keep mind that you will have to return the book on your own.
10. Work part-time. Part-time work is a great way to make some money during college and can be done remotely or in an office. If you’re applying via FAFSA then I recommend check-boxing the work-study option. This is employment with your university or its affiliated partners in the community. Keep in mind that once you get the green light, you are not automatically given a job but must find one on your own (these jobs must be categorized as work-study). Luckily, most universities will list all work-study approved jobs on its website.

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11. Take summer classes. Taking courses in the summer is another great way to save on costs since summer terms are generally charged at a lower price than those in the fall or spring. Keep in mind that summer courses are shorter (6-8 weeks) and fast-paced so if this isn’t compatible with your learning style either avoid it or just enroll in one course.
12. Take extra classes. This option is best for students who pay tuition by term since it would still cost the same amount with the additional courses. You will be better served if you do so while completing your general education (GE; lower-division) and electives rather than upper-division courses since they are easier in difficulty.
13. Military service. There are at least two sources of financial support available to veterans: federal (GI benefits, ROTC) and state (tuition remission). These benefits cover many types of applicants, such as veterans with disabilities, applicants with exhausted GI benefits, Purple Heart or Medal of Honor recipients, and relatives or dependents of military members. Thanks to these benefits, many veterans are able to obtain a college education at no cost. Keep in mind that all applicants must have served a minimum period of time in active-duty to qualify.
14. Live off-campus. Leasing an apartment at least thirty minutes away from campus can make the difference between affordable and unaffordable rent regardless of which city you live in. This is because universities are typically located in the hub of city life and wherever people congregate you can expect higher costs of living. Plus you will generally save more money commuting via bus or train than driving and maintaining a car (i.e., gas, smog tests, insurance, maintenance, yearly vehicle renewal).
15. Budget your expenses. It is all too easy to swipe a card and lose track of your purchases because of how quick and simple this process is, which often results in staggering end-of-the-month payments. Luckily, there are numerous mobile apps that make budgeting easy and accessible with the tap of a screen. Just determine how much you would need each month (include rent, groceries, transportation, personal use) and stay within that range.

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16. Take advantage of “free stuff.” If there is one thing I learned in college is that there is free stuff everywhere from freebies and discounts to free food and groceries. I recommend joining Facebook groups and email lists associated with your school and community. This way, you will be the first to hear when and where to find free giveaways. They are also great resources to find essential items (i.e., furniture) at a significant discount – the summer is the best time since many students are moving out and have to get rid of unneeded items as soon as possible.
17. Polish your culinary skills. You can significantly minimize your expenditure by preparing your own meals and brewing your own coffee. According to the Business Insider, the estimated yearly cost of buying coffee can be as high as $1,200 compared to $45 if you brewed your own. Learning these important life skills will not only prepare you for later life but will get you in the habit of saving costs when you can.
18. Become a residential assistant (RA). A lesser known fact about college is that residential assistants receive room and board either at no cost or at a steep discount. This is a great opportunity for students who want to keep the costs of college low without relying on loans. Keep in mind that this position will require a good amount of time and commitment so choose wisely.
19. Save early. Saving for a rainy day is not only a wise decision but you will have the resources you need at a time when you need it most. Consider opening a savings account to stash unused money and gain interest. It is also a good idea to have a checking account as your main method of payment since there isn’t a limit on how many times you can use it on a given day.
20. Earn passive income. Virtually any skill or craft can be monetized whether it’s a product you make (i.e., baked goods) or a service you provide (i.e., photography). It is a great way to pursue your interests and be compensated at the same time.