Whether you have a teenager you’re planning to send to college or you’re thinking about returning to school yourself, you don’t have to be saddled with student loan debt by the time you’re walking across that stage to get your degree.

It won’t be easy, but if you want to graduate with as little debt as possible, here are some tips to help you reach that goal.

Do Work-Study Jobs

Whether it’s working at the college’s cafeteria or checking in books at the university’s library, schools have a ton of jobs available and instead of hiring outsiders for their entry-level jobs, they turn to students whenever it’s possible.

They aren’t the most glamorous jobs and you’ll only earn minimum wage for doing them, but the school will work with your class schedule to find times you can fit into your schedule. You won’t get that with many other off-campus employers.

Even working 10 hours a week can save you thousands each year you’re in school. That can result in more than $10,000 you won’t owe on a student loan by the time you get a four-year degree.

Scholarships

Many students think they have to be the brightest student in their graduating class in order to land a scholarship and that’s simply not true.

Guidance counselors can let you know all about the scholarship options out there for you. You can also do online searches to help you learn about scholarships you never even knew existed.

Go to Community College

While a four-year university is appealing to some students, you’ll save a lot more money by going to a community college for a year or two first. That will help you knock out a lot of your general education courses you’re required to take.

By the time you’re ready to transfer to a four-year school, you’ll be ready to focus more on your major. You could save five figures by attending a community college for a year or two, compared to a four-year school.

Live in an Apartment

Some schools won’t allow you to live off campus as a freshman, but after that, living in an apartment with some other students may be a great way to save money.

You may lose your meal plan at the university, so you’ll need to make sure you don’t start using too much of your savings for expensive meals though.

Grants

You can’t beat grants when it comes to funding your college education. Unlike a loan, a grant never has to be repaid – it’s free money, just for you. Who wouldn’t want to hop on that train?

Most grants are based on financial need, so if you have wealthy parents who have made it clear they expect you to put yourself through college, you’re going to be fighting an uphill battle.

To find out if you’re eligible for grant money, you’ll need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is better known as FAFSA.