One of the keys to running a successful marathon is to control what you can control. For example, regardless of a marathon's location and the time of year it is held, runners simply cannot control what the weather will be like on race day. However, they can control their fluid intake and subsequent hydration level, something that is important regardless of weather conditions and regardless of runners' skill levels and personal goals for the marathon.

The same holds true for trying to reduce your educational debt. As you look at how much money you will need to borrow for school, remember that in general, your expenses will fall into three categories: a) tuition and fees, b) books and supplies, and c) living expenses. You really have little, if any, control over the tuition and fees your school will charge you, and other than perhaps using online resources in lieu of actual textbooks, you have similarly little control over your expenses for books and supplies.

However, you can control to some extent your living expenses, which can be a substantial portion of your total cost of attendance and resulting educational debt, and which are often financed with more expensive unsubsidized loans such as Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, PLUS and Grad PLUS Loans, and Private Loans.

For example:

•  While it is a given that you likely want a place that is safe, comfortable, and convenient, you may not need quite as nice an apartment as you think, since there is at least a decent chance that much of your time during your program will not be spent there.
•  You might even take that a step further and consider a roommate or additional roommate, if you already have one. This could help reduce your rent, and if you are not there much, you may not care that there is another person or persons sharing your abode.
•  You might even consider biting the bullet and having instant coffee in the morning or grinding you own, in lieu of frequenting your favorite coffee shop. You have likely heard this suggestion before, but it does work, and it can save you money.