Getting an affordable college education these days isn’t easy. Even though just a short time ago you could work summers to pay for the following year’s tuition, times have changed. Now it’s the norm to take out exorbitant student loans just to get through a few semesters, and often times these loans follow students all the way into adulthood. College is so expensive these days that there isn’t much one can do but have a good plan. This infographic has some handy tips on how to handle student loans and, if possible, avoid them altogether.

First things first, make sure you’re applying to the right schools. Typically in-state public school tuition will be a lot cheaper for you then going out of state, average tuition being $8,893 and $22,203 respectively. Be sure to apply for all of the scholarships and grants you come across; that’s free money for school that you don’t have to pay back and there are scholarships for virtually every kind of student. And whether you think you need it or not, always fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine your personal financial aid options.

Check out this infographic for more on how to keep your college education affordable and let us know what you think about it in the comments. Don’t forget to like and share with your friends!