8 money-saving tips for graduate students Borrow only what you absolutely need. Cultivate a frugal lifestyle. Develop a budget-and stick to it. Keep a record of all your loans. Use public transport and avail of student commuter discounts. Send e-mail or text messages instead of making mobile calls. Have just one credit card for use only in emergencies or for basic needs. Pay in full at the end of the month. Consider borrowing or buying old textbooks from friends or classmates.

So you’re bent on going to graduate school? Wonderful! That’s a major path toward self-improvement and career progress. Like all school-goers, though, you’ll have to deal not only with the rigorous course work, but also with the expensive fees that come with studying.

Of course, if you have a sizable nest egg stashed somewhere or ultra-rich parents to back you up, money would be no problem. But since that’s merely wishful thinking for many, check out these options instead:

Apply for a scholarship. See if you qualify for grants, discounts or free schooling offered by some universities and colleges.

Work for a university. As a rule, you don’t pay tuition if you’re enrolled in the school you work for. These learning institutions, however, may require you to remain in their employ for a certain number of years after you’ve obtained your master’s degree.

Avail of company benefits. If you have a job, know what your workplace offers. There are employers that encourage higher learning by offering incentives and loans. Again, inquire about the terms and conditions of a company-sponsored higher education.

Shop around for loans. Study the loan options available to you and choose the one that best suits you. If you contribute regularly to social security or other government financial institutions, you can avail yourself of their easy-payment loans. Banks and cooperatives are alternatives sources. You could also approach a kindhearted relative willing to part with some cash at no or low-interest provisos (be sure to honor your promise to pay on schedule though).

Go part-time. Get a job or remain employed if you cannot afford full-time education. Receive paychecks regularly by toiling during the day and opting for night or weekend classes only.

The spiraling cost of education will not make your graduate school dream easy to come by. Working and studying simultaneously brings great challenges and demands, besides entailing serious sacrifices in your personal and professional life. But a genuine desire to learn more and develop yourself will help you emerge triumphant with that coveted degree in hand.