Updated: Nov 23, 2022
Article highlights
- Making payments while in school, even small ones, can help lower the total cost of your loan.
- Create a budget to track your spending habits and find ways to save.
- Prioritize paying more toward your student loans that have the least flexible repayment options or highest interest rates.
Even though most student loans allow students to defer payments until after graduation, the interest on the loan continues to accrue. While deferring payments can be tempting for those on a tight budget, making monthly payments – even a small payment amount – can help offset the interest that accrues and lower the total cost of your loan. Here are some tips to get you started.
Budget, budget, budget
Even if you don't have much to budget, getting into the habit of setting and observing spending limits will help you find opportunities to put extra money toward your student loans. Set a budget for eating out, entertainment, gifts, and shopping, and stick to it. Track your spending to find areas where you can cut back and save. For example, that $4.50 latte may seem like an innocent purchase until you realize you bought 10, or $45 worth, last month.
Find creative ways to earn money on the side
When your study load is already packed, you may not have time to commit 20–30 hours a week to a part-time job. But perhaps you have 5–10 hours each week, or free time on the weekends. Earning an extra $100–$300 a week can help offset extra college costs and go toward loan repayment. Look for side jobs that allow you to set your own hours, such as:
- House/dorm cleaning
- Tutoring
- Babysitting
- Computer/cell phone repair
- Dog walking/sitting
- Driving for ride-sharing companies
Set up automatic payments
Set up automatic payments so that money is funneled directly from your bank account to your loan payment, thereby eliminating the chance that you'll spend your funds elsewhere. Even paying as little as $25 a month can make a difference and reduce your total loan cost.
Pick the best loan to attack first
Not all loans are created equally, so it makes sense to prioritize. Understand your loan’s repayment options, interest rates, and any protection programs you may need to utilize in the future.
Some strategies include paying more toward the loan with the highest interest rate. This will allow you to save the most money, since loans with higher rates ultimately increase your total loan cost. Putting money toward your loan while still in school might feel like a balancing act, but it will be worth it if you can graduate with less debt.
