These days, many people graduate from college owing tens of thousands of dollars on their student loans. Owing so much money can really cause you a lot of financial hardship. With the right advice, however, you can get the money you need for college without accumulating an enormous amount of debt.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about federal loans. Not many people understand what these types of loans can offer or what their regulations and rules are. If you have any questions about these loans, contact your student loan adviser. Funds are limited, so talk to them before the application deadline.

If you choose to pay off your student loans faster than scheduled, make sure that your extra amount is actually being applied to the principal. Many lenders will assume extra amounts are just to be applied to future payments. Contact them to make sure that the actual principal is being reduced so that you accrue less interest over time.

Know what you’re signing when it comes to student loans. Work with your student loan adviser. Ask them about the important items before signing. These include how much the loans are, what kind of interest rates they will have, and if you those rates can be lowered. You also need to know your monthly payments, their due dates, and any additional fees.

Consider using your field of work as a means of having your loans forgiven. A number of nonprofit professions have the federal benefit of student loan forgiveness after a certain number of years served in the field. Many states also have more local programs. The pay might be less in these fields, but the freedom from student loan payments makes up for that in many cases.

Be sure you understand the terms of loan forgiveness. Some programs will forgive part or all of any federal student loans you may have taken out under certain circumstances. For example, if you are still in debt after ten years has passed and are working in a public service, nonprofit or government position, you may be eligible for certain loan forgiveness programs.

Try looking at consolidation for your student loans. This can help you combine your multiple federal loan payments into a single, affordable payment. It can also lower interest rates, especially if they vary. One major consideration to this repayment option is that you may forfeit your deferment and forbearance rights.

Try to make your student loan payments on time. If you miss your payments, you can face harsh financial penalties. Some of these can be very high, especially if your lender is dealing with the loans through a collection agency. Keep in mind that bankruptcy won’t make your student loans go away.

One type of student loan that is available to parents and graduate students is the PLUS loans. Interest rates are not permitted to rise above 8.5%. These loans give you a better bang for your buck. This means that this is a suitable choice for students who are a bit older and better established.

Be careful about accepting private, alternative student loans. It is easy to rack up a lot of debt with these because they operate pretty much like credit cards. Starting rates may be very low; however, they are not fixed. You may end up paying high interest charges without warning. Additionally, these loans do not include any borrower protections.

If you have yet to secure a job in your chosen industry, consider options that directly reduce the amount you owe on your loans. For example, volunteering for the AmeriCorps program can earn as much as $5,500 for a full year of service. Serving as a teacher in an underserved area, or in the military, can also knock off a portion of your debt.

You do not want student loans to be your sole source of income during you educational years. Look into getting a scholarship or grant and explore other ways you can save money. You can find many places online that show you how to apply for grants and scholarships that will help you secure the money you need. Make sure you start looking as early as possible so you can have everything in order well before it is time to pay for school.

To stretch your student loan dollars as far as possible, make sure you live with a roommate instead of renting your own apartment. Even if it means the sacrifice of not having your own bedroom for a couple of years, the money you save will come in handy down the road.

If you want to make sure that you get the most out of your student loan, make sure that you put 100 percent effort into your school work. Be on time for group project meetings, and turn in papers on time. Studying hard will pay off with high grades and a terrific job offer.

To make collecting your student loan as user-friendly as possible, make sure that you have notified the bursar’s office at your institution about the coming funds. If unexpected deposits show up without accompanying paperwork, there is likely to be a clerical mistake that keeps things from working smoothly for your account.

To help make your student loan funds last as long as possible, shop for clothes out of season. Buying your spring clothes in November and your cold-weather clothes in May saves you money, making your living expenses as low as possible. This means you have more money to put toward your tuition.

If you are the forgetful type and are worried that you might miss a payment or not remember it until it is past due, you should sign up for direct pay. That way your payment will be automatically deducted from your checking account each month and you can be sure you will never have a late payment.

Student loans are a useful way to pay for college, but you need to be cautious. Just accepting whatever loan you are offered is a good way to find yourself in trouble. With the advice you have read here, you can borrow the money you need for college without acquiring more debt than you can ever repay.