For some jobs, an extra degree or two is practically required to make above minimum wage. It can be hard to find the money to complete advanced degrees, however, especially if you’re not sure that your long-term earning power will really be able to cover $100,000 or more in student loans. It seems like a catch-22 — once you get the degree you’ll be earning enough money to go back to school. It isn’t an impossible proposition, though. There are ways to come up with the cash for college and grad school, without going into debt up to your eyeballs.

1. Pay out of pocket. I know it sounds impossible to pay for school out of pocket. I’m doing it right now, though. I’m working on my masters, taking one class at a time and paying in full for each class before I even start. If you’re willing to work hard to save the cash for your education, you can pay for it yourself and owe no money or obligation to anyone else.
2. Find tuition reimbursement. Hundreds of companies offer some sort of tuition reimbursement program — they might pay for your college outright, or will pay off your loans when you complete your degree if you commit to working for them. There are even volunteer programs with similar offers.
3. Take an on-campus job. While not every school offers employees full tuition, many do. As long as you’re working, you can take the classes you need to earn your degree.
4. Find scholarships. If you want a scholarship, you’ll have to go looking for it. There are thousands of scholarships available, but they don’t advertise. You can get a scholarship for just about anything, though: marital status, hobbies, goals and much more. One of the greatest scholarship resources is FastWeb.
5. Reduce the classes you’ll take. Most schools have a set curriculum you must complete, along with a total number of hours, to earn a degree. But you can often test out of classes for a fraction of the cost of the tuition to actually take them, reducing the total bill for your education.

Even if you do decide you will take out student loans for your education, don’t just fill out your FAFSA form and accept what the government gives you. Keep looking around for loans — if you have a good relationship with your bank, you may be able to get a loan with lower interest rates. Even better, there are many non-profit organizations that offer interest-free loans for education.

If you plan to earn a degree, but money is the issue, explore your options. The standard student loan isn’t nearly the only opportunity you can find to attend college. It’s a matter of looking for other sources of money. Your school’s student aid office knows this, and maybe able to help you find even more options.