Paying for college is one of the biggest headaches that both parents and students are faced with once the acceptance letter goes out. The issue of paying for college also influences a student's initial perception and decision regarding the college application process. Some students will even avoid applying to certain colleges and universities because of the hefty price tag that they carry. Once you have gained acceptance to the college of your dreams and learned that money doesn't grow on trees, what will you do?

While some students don't have to worry about paying for college, there are those who are in need of extra money to make school payments. After you have exhausted the angle of financial aid and other funding options, you may find that only part of the college bill will be paid, leaving the remainder up to you.

What really hurts a student's financial situation is that it doesn't stop with the tuition; college students also need to furnish the money needed for books, entertainment, housing, and additional living expenses. Below you will find the three main ways that students obtain the extra money they need to make ends meet in college:

Getting a Job

When possible, getting a job will help pay off college tuition and other expenses with two different approaches to consider: on-campus and off-campus. Depending on the type of school you attend, there may or may not be a lot of opportunities for both on- and off- campus work. Some colleges are situated away from the hustle and bustle of cities or towns, meaning the amount of offsite jobs they have to choose from are limited. Then, there are many employers who are hesitant to hire college students that are unable to work full time hours.

If you are able to gain employment outside of campus, working part time may only be in your best interest. Also, working a job while attending classes should never interfere with your academic performance and grades. All of your hard work on both ends will be lost if you are unable to succeed in the classroom. When it comes to on-campus jobs, there are many different outlets to visit. For instance, the Career Center may connect you to various openings about the college, such as working the cafeteria or checking out books at the library.

Taking Out a Student Loan

There are a handful of choices to consider for student loans, such as the Perkins, Unsubsidized and Subsidized Stafford Loans. Each approach also comes with a wide-range of repayment options, including direct deposits and income sensitive choices. Student loans have helped millions of students pay for college with a process that involves the highest level of commitment (that will last at least ten years for some).

For students, these types of loans are much better than siding with a regular loan. This is because the rates and terms are much easier to swallow, often providing lower interest rates and reasonable repayment options for students. Initial grace periods, as well as relief like loan deferments and forbearance are all ways that individuals may gain extra time to get settled before and during repaying a student loan.

Credit Cards

Despite high interest rates and fees, many students still rely on the power and convenience of paying their bills with a credit card. When the pressing issue of obtaining all of the necessary books for a class gets too much, the swipe of a credit card can solve this problem in seconds. Although, numerous students dig extensive holes of debt with a multitude of credit cards, they have been known to make life at college much easier to deal with for the moment.