Attending college isn’t a necessity for everyone of course, but it is one of the major tools that will help you benefit financially throughout your life. However, you’ll have trouble with finances after school if you just end up drowning in student debt for the rest of your life. Take a look at some creative and doable strategies for attending college without thousands of dollars of debt tied to your name:

1. Take AP or IB Level High School Courses: these courses, while academically demanding, allow students to earn college credit while still in high school. The benefit of these classes is great and can shave up to a year off of college attendance (which is a whole lot of money potentially). Qualifications for these classes are different from school to school, but students typically have to earn high grades, receive written letters of endorsement from a teacher and perform well on the placement exam.
2. Take a Community College Course While Still in High School: find a community college that doesn’t require a high school diploma and get a head start on college classes. By taking college classes during two semesters of high school, a student can eliminate a semester’s worth of general education requirements. The savings could be great if the student plans on attending a larger university.
3. Attend a Free College: there are actually some colleges in the U.S. That are free to attend – you’ll just pay room, board and living expenses since tuition and fees are covered by the college.
   

   BusinessWeek compiled a list of 10 free colleges. Most have an estimated tuition value of $15,000 to $35,000, and the acceptance rates range from as high at 40% to as low as 7%. Some of these colleges, such as College of the Ozarks, require students to work on campus for several hours a week. Several are liberal arts colleges, but many have a specific focus such as engineering, music, or naval engineering.

4. Apply for the Honors Program: you can consider applying to the honors program at a school if you have a strong academic record and high ACT or SAT scores. Requirements vary from school to school, but you usually have to write an essay, have high test scores and GPA, and most times there’s an interview involved. While in the honors program at a school, it’s possible to get a serious discuss on tuition or even attend college for free.
5. Work at the College: taking a job at your college could net you substantial tuition discounts. Look for jobs for high school graduates, secretarial jobs, etc. to get tuition discounts, whether you’re a full-time or part-time employee.
6. Take More Credits Per Term: when you’re paying full-time tuition at a college, they usually don’t differentiate between 12 and 21 credits. If your college charges a flat rate for full-time students, take advantage and take as many credits as possible so you can finish early.

Find more advice over at Money Crashers’ How to Pay for & Afford College Without Student Loan Debt.