Make extra payments. Analyze your budget to see what extra money you have available to apply to your student loan debt. Even an extra $20 every month towards your student loans can significantly reduce the time it takes to pay them off. Distribute the extra money to each student loan to pay them down at the same time, or apply the extra solely to one until it is paid off and then focus on another loan.
Consolidate loans. Talk to different lenders and banks to learn which consolidation options are available for your student loans. Find a financial institution that offers the lowest interest rate. This allows for more of your payment to go towards paying off the principal of the loan rather than interest, which in turn helps you pay off your student loans from college faster.
Check into loan forgiveness programs. Learn if you qualify for any loan forgiveness or repayment assistance programs from your state or federal government. For example, Maryland offers loan repayment assistance for lawyers, nurses, therapists, teachers and social workers who work with low-income or underserved populations in the state. Programs such as the PeaceCorps and AmeriCorps also offer help for student loan debt if a person commits to serving with them for a specific period of time.
Ask about employer benefits. Visit with a representative from the personnel department where you work to learn if your employer provides any benefits for employees with student loans. They may contribute a specific dollar amount each year to employees who have student loan debt.
Bring in additional income. Take on a second job to give you more money to pay towards your student loan debt. Ask your boss for a raise, and be prepared to provide evidence of why you deserve one. Apply any bonuses you receive from your current job towards your student loan debt.