With the news that college loans won’t actually be forgiven (thanks, Supreme Court), you may be feeling the financial burden of a college education more than ever. If, like most Americans, you already have thousands in college debt, we can’t help you (but check out the Biden Administration’s latest relief plan).

But if you’re about to embark on your college journey, we can help!

Graduating from college with no debt may seem impossible, but it’s more doable than you realize. 

At the very least, you can lower your college costs significantly and graduate with minimal debt—which will allow you more freedom to take the job, drive the car, and buy the house you want after graduation.

Here’s the scoop from TaxGlobal on how to graduate from college with minimal debt.

Choose an affordable college

NYU, Syracuse, Dartmouth—these may be the colleges everyone wants to get into, but they’re also the ones that will leave you with the heaviest pile of debt upon graduation. Instead of aiming for Ivy League, aim for affordable.

Of course, there are certain perks that come with going to an Ivy League school, and you’ll have to weigh your options to decide if a cheaper college will still provide you with the learning opportunities and career connections you need to succeed after college.

Try dual enrollment

Did you know that many high schools offer the chance to take college courses? Sometimes these are held on the high school campus, or at a local community college. 

By taking high school and college classes simultaneously, you can get credit for college courses while still in high school—and at a much lower cost than you would at college. Often, dual enrollment is free. Even if it’s not, it costs much less than a college education.

Hunt up scholarships

You’ve probably heard that there are millions of scholarship dollars go unused every year. Put in a little extra effort, and you might just stumble upon some of those unclaimed dollars! 

There are plenty of sites out there that help you find scholarships, including collegeboard.com and salliemae.com. Your best bet is to copy and paste your application (adjusting as necessary) and apply for hundreds of scholarships. 

Seek Federal aid

If your family meets certain financial requirements, you may be able to get student aid from the Federal government to help lower your tuition costs. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify.

Take AP classes

AP, CLEP, and similar tests can help you get college credit without paying the big bucks. Some of these tests have an administrative fee, but it’s usually minimal compared to the cost of taking the same class in college. 

Usually, these tests cover basic college courses, which means you can skip over these and start at a higher level, saving time and money and graduating faster.

Take community college classes

Another way to take care of those basic credits is at your local community college. These classes likely won’t be free, but they will be much cheaper compared to your average college class.

Work

If your schedule and course load allows, getting a job to make money during your college education can help offset the cost of tuition. Visit your college’s job or career center, or its financial aid office, to see if they have any options for on campus jobs you could do.

Budget, budget, budget

Saving money on tuition may tempt you to spend in other areas, which is why it’s so important to create and stick to a budget. Figure out how much money you’ll have per month and set strict limits on how much you’ll spend and on what. 

If you’re struggling, ask a friend or family member to hold you accountable, and make sure you choose someone who’s good with money.

Become a Fellow or Assistant (if you’re getting a master’s degree)

Master’s degrees are infamously expensive, but many schools allow you to get a master’s degree while serving as a Fellow or Assistant for a professor in your field of study. 

Not only does this reduce your tuition, it also gives you hands-on experience doing important research in your field—something that looks great on a resume post-college.

Ask your employer about paying for your master’s degree

You may be surprised to learn that many employers are actually happy to pay for an employee’s master’s degree—especially in the field of business administration. Why? Because they know it will add value to their business. Talk to your company’s HR department to find out more.

Enlist

Another option is to join the Army, Air Force, or Navy, which will pay up to $65,000 of your student debt. Of course, this option isn’t for everyone, but if you’re in good shape and think you can make it through boot camp, it’s definitely worth considering!