Student Loan Debt in the United States Totals more than $1.7 Trillion.

For many graduates just entering the workforce, it can be a significant burden. (Even for those who have been working for years!)

If you haven’t landed a job since graduating, the good news is that you may qualify for a deferment or forbearance, depending on your circumstances. Keep in mind that interest generally does not accrue on subsidized federal loans during certain deferment periods, but it usually continues to accrue on unsubsidized loans and during most forbearances. When you’re new to the workforce and earning very little, you can also apply for a federal income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, which takes your income into account to determine your monthly payment. Because federal student loan repayment programs have changed significantly in recent years, be sure to review the latest Federal Student Aid guidance to see which repayment plans are currently available and whether you qualify.

For those without those options, there’s still hope. But how, exactly, are you supposed to pay off your debt if you’re barely managing to keep your head above water? First, know that you’re not alone. Second, here are a few strategies you can employ to ensure you’re making your payments on time and, one day soon, becoming debt-free.

1. Create a Budget You Can Stick With

A solid budget is essential if you want to keep your financial priorities straight. (If you haven’t checked out HerMoney’s podcast with YNAB Founder Jesse Mecham on “Budgeting Without Tears” it’s a must-listen, as is HerMoney’s story on how to budget if your spending habits have changed!) There are countless ways to budget, and one of our favorite methods is the 50/30/20 budget. It’s fairly effortless to follow and very beginner-friendly. This budget suggests that you allot 50% of your earnings to things you need, such as rent and other monthly expenses, 30% to things you want that aren’t necessary to your survival, and 20% toward savings and debt repayment. Once you get started, you’ll be amazed how just keeping an eye on your spending can change your financial life.

2. Use Your Gifts Wisely

Whenever you receive money for your birthday, a holiday, graduation, or some other occasion, it might be tempting to treat yourself to an item (or several items!) on your wishlist. But give it some thought first. Do you really need that thing you’ve been eyeing? How much better would you feel if you put that money toward becoming debt-free?

Think about your gift as “bonus” money. After all, you weren’t counting on it as part of your budget, so why not put it toward your future? We bet the person who gave you that generous gift would probably be thrilled to know that you were using the money to improve your financial standing and reach your bigger life goals. And the quicker you pay down your loans, the better off you’ll be. If you only make the minimum payment each month, it may take many years to repay your loans, depending on your repayment plan. You deserve to live your best life, debt-free. Why not contribute extra money to making that happen?

3. Set Up Autopay

When you set up autopay for your student loan bill, your payment is automatically deducted from your bank account, and you never miss a payment since it’s all happening automatically. Many lenders also offer an interest-rate discount for enrolling in automatic payments. Autopay also makes it easy for you to set up bi-weekly payments. This option can be a good one for people who get paid every two weeks. The idea is to make payments every two weeks by splitting your regular monthly payment in half, and by the end of the year, you'll end up paying more toward your debt than you would have with a traditional monthly payment. (That's because if you're paid every other week, you'll make the equivalent of one extra monthly payment over the course of the year!) And, bonus: paying your loan on time every month also helps you build and maintain a positive credit history.

4. Choose Your Job Carefully

It’s no secret that some careers offer higher salaries than others. For example, an engineer is probably going to make more money right out of college than someone in the hospitality industry. If you’re looking to maximize your earning potential early in your career, and you’re passionate about several different things, then you might want to choose the career path where you stand to earn the highest salary.

Also, keep in mind that certain careers may qualify for federal student loan forgiveness programs. People working in qualifying public service jobs—including many teachers, nurses, government employees, and employees of eligible nonprofit organizations—may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Just make sure you read the fine print! And don’t forget to pay close attention to the benefits you’re offered before you accept a new job. Find a position with health benefits, retirement benefits, and, whenever possible, an employer-sponsored student loan repayment benefit.

5. Look into Refinancing

Sometimes, the best way to pay off debt is to redistribute it to another lender with a lower interest rate. If you refinance your student loans, a private lender will pay off your existing loans and issue a new loan with new terms. The good news is that your loans will all be lumped together with one lender, potentially with a lower interest rate. However, if you refinance federal student loans with a private lender, you'll permanently give up access to federal benefits, including income-driven repayment plans, federal deferment and forbearance options, and loan forgiveness programs. Just choose carefully, because you could end up with an interest rate you didn’t anticipate or a repayment term that costs you more over time.

If you’re interested in refinancing, you may qualify for several benefits. A lower interest rate means you could pay off your debt sooner—saving years on your student debt repayment plan.

Your Diligence Will Pay Off

According to the most recent data from LendingTree, nearly half (47%) of bachelor's degree recipients graduate with student loan debt. Among those who borrow, the average balance is $29,560 in federal and private student loans, though graduates of private nonprofit colleges tend to borrow more ($34,420) than graduates of public colleges ($27,420). That's an overwhelming sum, especially considering it may be comparable to a graduate's first-year salary. It’s no surprise that it can feel daunting to tackle all at once. Thankfully, with these strategies, you can make student debt repayment easier—and become debt-free sooner than you imagined.

Talk through your options with a Certified Financial Coach, free for Cal Coast members.