by Miranda Marquit

You know only too well that college tuition continues to go up. And paying for college without any debt is becoming increasingly difficult. However, you can minimize your debt if you plan ahead and look for programs that help you offset some of your college costs. The best plan is to start early and save up using an investment account that has tax benefits, like a 529 or a Coverdell. But if you still need a little help, here are some ideas for minimizing your college debt:

The Obvious: Grants and Scholarships

Unfortunately, grants and scholarships are harder to come by these days than they once were. Federal need-based grants can help those with lower incomes pay for school, and many colleges and universities offer their own need-based scholarships. Interestingly, though, there are other scholarships out there. Scholarships and grants from various organizations are available based on minority status, heritage, gender and disability. Look at community organizations: department stores, civic organizations and local foundations all may offer some scholarship opportunities.

Get a Job

Another way to help pay for college is the time-honored tradition of "the job." Even a part-time job can go a long way toward keeping you out of debt. Even if it doesn't cover tuition, a part-time job can buy books, food, utilities and pay part of the rent in many places. Campus is a great place to start. Federal work-study programs can help you tap into federal money, even though you may not qualify for a grant. Most campuses have jobs in various fields, including tutoring, groundskeeping, childcare, food service and others.

An off-campus job is another possibility. Many college towns have companies (telemarketing is famous for this) that offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees, along with benefits and flexible hours.

Consider public service

One way to minimize the debt that awaits you upon graduation is to go into jobs that are considered to be civil or public service. There are programs that help nurses, lawyers, teachers and others pay off some of their student loan debt. For example, my own mother is taking advantage of a program that pays off $5,000 of student loan debt for teachers who work in rural areas. Additionally, some states and localities provide incentives for college grads.

Americorps and the Peace Corps are two organizations that can help you pay off your student debt if you are willing to do volunteer work after you graduate.

Student Loans and Payment Plans

If you must, taking out student loans is still an option. But make sure you take out as little as possible. And some schools offer interest-free (or low-fee) payment plans that spread out a two semesters' worth of tuition over the whole year, so you break the tuition down into 12 installments. There are also programs that allow you to lock in tuition rates or buy "units" of tuition at a lower price ahead of time, so that you can beat rising college costs.

With proper planning, and if you are willing to take the time to look for appropriate programs, it is possible to find a variety of resources that can help you minimize debt related to the cost of getting a higher education.

Miranda Marquit edits information on debt consolidation for DestroyDebt.com and writes on personal finances for YieldingWealth.com

categories:  debt

Tags: college tuition, student loans