Posted on March 22, 2009 at 6:31 am I made it out of university without a student loan to pay off! 4 years and no debt to pay off later! Here's how...Okay, I had a little help. My parents gave me a lump sum of £3,000. In totally I had to pay roughly £5,000 per year for university costs.This is how I managed:1) I lived with my parents! They didn't charge a thing! I had to commute for 40 minutes - 1 hour each day, but renting nearer would've been very expensive! The apartments I looked at would've cost me £10,000-25,000 a year. If you can't stay with your parents I suggest that you find a group of flatmates to share with. If your university/college offers you accommodation for the first year, take it! It'll be cheaper/free!2) I budgeted everything! 3) I worked. I spent the first 3 and a half years helping out as a receptionist for a local business. I did tediously boring jobs, but it brought in around £9,000 a year. Make sure you don't get behind with studies, though, or you might as well not be paying to study at all! I did find it stressful - lectures in the morning, work in the afternoon, studying in the evening. 4) Second-hand books.. This will save you a LOT of money!5) At the end of everything I ended up with savings every month, and money to go shopping (= I might not have had much time to go partying, but when I left I was so relieved to leave debt-free.The money I made during university helped me with a apartment deposit. I left university richer!It's very possible. I had lots of help with accommodation, but I'd like to think that if I'd lived with roomates, and cut down on shopping more, I'd still have managed to come out with minimal debts.

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 8:55 am Bad luck ): Are you still paying off the loans?

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 9:38 am Thanks ... I think I'll share this with my brother as I already graduated ... he will start next year.

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 11:30 am Good advice, but not everyone is able to have money from their parents, or free accommodation.

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 1:19 pm True, I was very lucky in that respect but there are still other tips that everybody can use . no problem angelmokka (:

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 3:27 pm Good tips. I too lived with my parents and took either the train or drove to univeristy which was 35-40 minutes away. They helped me pay some of my fees, but truth be told most parents cannot afford to help out, plus fees are increasing all the time. A part time job which also seems like a full time job is a must while at univeristy to help you manage. In saying all of this I took out a loan, and they kept adding interest on, so I owed £6200 at the end I couldnt believe it as I only borrowed £2400 for 2 years. Luckily I got a good full time job and paid off my loan completely. Then I saved for a deposit for an apartment and well I have moved in now!!

Posted on March 23, 2009 at 2:21 am This info would have served me well in my teen years.

Posted on March 23, 2009 at 12:41 pm v -- no i'm not, i'm loan free in that area at leastlaura t--- congratulations (= you've definitely managed your money better than most students

Posted on March 23, 2009 at 4:11 pm I just wish I had grown up closer to a university and could've  stayed at home while going to school. It would've saved so much!

Posted on March 25, 2009 at 12:14 pm thanks (=  and good luck bloodcakelover !xox Emma