If you can reduce your expenses to an amount less than the school's estimated COA, you might not need to borrow as much as the school has awarded you. It's a wise idea to borrow only what you need. If you borrow less than the school awarded you, you might have lower monthly payments when you repay the loan. This will leave you more money for transportation, housing, and other kinds of expenses associated with beginning your career. Another way to reduce what you need to borrow is to identify non-loan sources of financial assistance.
Many organizations award special scholarships.
Remember, every little bit helps, and these monies do not need to be repaid. You should check with the financial aid office about institutional and non-institutional scholarships and how to apply for them. A sure way to help pay for college and avoid excess borrowing is to work part-time. Working can provide you with valuable experience and skills needed for a career. A part-time job provides a steady income that can help pay for rent, groceries, and other expenses.