10 Tips to Pay Off College Debt Yourself

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Paying for college yourself can be daunting, especially when the average student racks up $9,000 to $35,000 in debt each year. While financial experts recommend graduates pay off this overwhelmingly large sum within 10 years, most need more than 20 years to repay what they owe. Meanwhile, some professionals are still working to pay off student loans in their 60s and 70s.

Thus, if you want to—or have no choice but to—purchase a top-notch education on your own, you have to try a few different tactics. Use the tips below to save money on interest, fees, and other expenses so you can live debt-free sooner without any help.

1. Fill Out the FAFSA

Every year, roughly 20 million students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and more than 65 percent of them receive support from federal loans and grants. The Office of Federal Student Aid provides this funding through more than 6,000 colleges and career schools across the U.S. to help students pay for school. First, however, you must submit a FAFSA application to determine whether or not you qualify for this kind of financial assistance.