Great ways to ensure financial stability after graduation

College is a tough time financially for most students. While you'll be forking out money hand over fist to stay in school, chances are you won't have the spare hours for full-time employment, and even part-time work is sparse and accrued at minimum wage.

So how do you avoid crippling debt post graduation? College costs a lot, but it shouldn't cost you your quality of life after you graduate. Consider a few of these tips to stay above water and secure your financial stability ahead of time.

1. Accept some debt. Most college students leave school with some amount of debt in student loans. Luckily these sorts of loans aren't nearly as damaging as most bank loans will be, and your debt won't start costing you interest until after graduation. When picking your loans, be sure you're not cheated.

2. Buy books used. Next to tuition and room and board, books will be your most significant cost. They can set you back anywhere from several hundred to a thousand dollars a term, so when you have the opportunity to buy used, do so. While the internet is great for this, when you can, seek out copies on campus from students who've previously taken the class. Save on shipping cost, know the quality the book is in and maybe glean a few helpful hints.

3. Small purchases matter. Everything from snacks to movie tickets take tiny bites out of your budget, and over time can whittle a pile of spare cash to almost nothing. While it's occasionally okay to splurge, do so with discretion. And always remember to use your student ID for discounts (even after graduation, this is a useful trick).

4. Apply for scholarships. The best way to save on tuition is to apply for a variety of scholarships. There are scholarship opportunities out there for every student and in every field of study. Scour the internet, speak with guidance counselors or admissions officers, just do whatever you can to secure scholarship money.

5. Get a job, milk your contacts. One of the greatest benefits college affords is its variety of contacts. In a difficult economy with more layoffs than hirings, your prospects might feel thin. Talk to your professors, friends and internship employers to see if they can put you in touch with anything steady after graduation.

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