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I think it's a little outlandish to believe anyone not born into money can realistically pay off their student loans while in college or over the course of four years. Realistically, my only course of action will be to continue doing what I already am, which is applying for federal aid each year, searching for any available scholarships, and taking out loans for whatever isn't covered. Even beyond that, if loans STILL don't cover the tuition for the semester, I'll just have to charge whatever cost of attendance is left to my credit card like I had to do this semester.

One thing I will say is last semester I filled out my FAFSA very late in the year, so I wasn't awarded nearly as much money as I could have been if I had filled it out sooner. For future reference, I'll fill out my FAFSA as soon as I possibly can to ensure I'm able to get as much money as I possibly can from loans. As far as paying off those loans, once I finish finally paying off the credit card debt I've accrued, I intend to rebuild my savings account in order to prepare for when I'll need to start making payments on these loans, but until then I'm a little strapped for cash. Working retail on the weekends only allows for so much spending and saving to be done after necessary bills have been paid off.

I currently have two scholarships, one for being a transfer student and the other for maintaining a decent GPA and getting good grades. I earn my wages through working at Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, which as I've mentioned only goes so far. I intend to try and look into some grants I may be able to apply for to help pay for college. I wasn't able to find any for previous years, but then again I admittedly wasn't looking very hard.

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If you're a new student, you'll be considered for scholarships at your time of admission. If you're a current student, you'll need to use the annual University Scholarship Application to apply each January if you have an EMU GPA at the end of winter semester. The application will be available to download on this website when it's open for submission and it's due in mid-March.

Departmental Scholarships

Award amounts vary and selections can be based on need, academic merit, as well as representative talent within corresponding department or major. Follow the links below for information and applications to scholarships offered by EMU colleges and departments:

The majority of EMU endowed scholarships are for students admitted to a specific program of study. You should contact student organizations or departments directly for information on scholarship programs, selection processes, scholarship availability, requirements and application deadlines.

External Scholarships

External scholarships are available to students from organizations and agencies outside the University. We encourage students to avoid search services that charge a fee.

Additionally, visiting websites affiliated with your area of interest (such as health services or social services) often provides additional information that may not appear on the normal search services.

Other popular search engines for scholarships include:

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If you're a new student, you'll be considered for scholarships at your time of admission. If you're a current student, you'll need to use the annual University Scholarship Application to apply each January if you have an EMU GPA at the end of winter semester.

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I currently have two credit cards, one being a Discover card and the other being a Victoria's Secret credit card that I had no intention of opening, but misunderstood what the cashier was selling me on and felt too awkward to do anything about it. My parents had always drilled me on the importance of not going overboard with spending on credit cards, because when they were newly married they treated their cards like free money and ended up in a lot of debt. So logically I knew I shouldn't spend so much, but as it turns out I have some serious self-control issues and a spending addiction to match. By the time I realized I had gone way over my limit, I suddenly had bigger adult expenses that NEEDED to be taken care of, and I had no actual money in my savings account to take care of them since I poured all of my savings into trying to pay off my already high credit card bill. Needless to say, I am broke and struggling. My friends and family have been nice enough to offer to pay for food or things like that when we're out while I steadily work to pay all of my debt off, which is slow going as I'm not making all too much cash to begin with.

I've found the bigger problem isn't necessarily not making enough money, but rather my inability to control my spending habits. I'm currently looking into getting a therapist for several reasons, one of them being to help with my addictive habits. I'm hoping once I'm able to work with a professional and get to the root of my personal issues, my finances will be in a much better spot as well.

My Discover app keeps me updated on my Fico credit score and breaks down what areas I'm doing well in and what areas need improvement. A credit score lets lenders know how likely it is that a person will be able to pay off what they owe on any given loan. My score takes into account my payment history, the amount I owe, the length of my credit history, any new credit that's opened, and the types of credit I have. The better your credit score is, the more money lenders will be willing to loan you, because they can trust that you'll be able to pay them back in a decent timeframe.

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Council Post: 10 Ways Young People Can Build A Strong Credit Record

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Members of Forbes Finance Council discuss their top tips for young adults to begin building credit.

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My bank is with Huntington, and on the Huntington app there's a section I utilize that's all about budgeting. It shows what categories you spend your money on over the course of a month, and lets you set plans in place to make sure you don't go above a specified amount in any of those categories. I also use my notes app to just keep track of what I'm spending and what I would like my limits to be. This last tool isn't specifically for budgeting, but I still find it useful regardless. It's an app called Fetch, and you scan receipts on it to earn points that can be redeemed for certain gift cards or things of that nature. Fetch keeps track of what items you purchase and what businesses you frequent, so it's another helpful way I keep track of my money.

I actually prefer to budget out each paycheck instead of going off a monthly basis, so this is roughly based off of my cash flow every two weeks. Depending on how many hours I'm able to work, each paycheck I'm roughly taking in between $200 to $300 every two weeks. The first thing I do with that money is donate 10% of it to my church as a tithe. Under normal circumstances, I would then set aside another 10% into my savings account, but right now I'm focused on paying off my credit card before I build up my savings again. So next, I set aside $50 for gas, since I usually have to fill up my tank every two weeks, and it usually costs about $40, though lately it's been more expensive. I set aside another $50 for personal groceries I may need or for occasionally eating out, and then I set aside yet ANOTHER $50 to pay rent to my dad once a month. I also have a personal rule I try to follow where I don't let my checking account drop below $100 in case of emergencies. So with all of that in mind, after I've subtracted what I need to from each paycheck, I take whatever money is left without going below $100 and put it towards paying off my credit card little by little.

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It's the dreaded B-word- budgeting.

Unfortunately, the word budget has gotten a bad rap. When it all boils down, a budget is just a plan for your money. Budgeting means you're spending with purpose before the month begins. Unfortunately, many people view a budget as a straitjacket that will keep them from doing what they want.

But that couldn't be further from the truth! A budget doesn't limit your freedom-it gives you freedom! It's really all about being intentional with where your money goes.

How Can Budgeting Help Me?

A budget is going to give you an action plan and clear picture of where your money is ending up each month. Budgeting will help you achieve the goals you're working toward-whether that's getting out of debt, saving for retirement, or just trying to keep your grocery bill from getting out of hand.

When you see planning a budget as simply spending your money intentionally, you can actually find more freedom to spend! Once something has been budgeted for, you'll be able to spend that money without feeling guilty. Many people even say they find "extra" money after they create a realistic budget and stick with it. How amazing is that?

15 Budgeting Tips for Your Daily Life

Ready to get started? Here are the top 15 budgeting tips!

1. Budget to zero before the month begins.

This means before the month even starts, you're making a plan and giving every dollar a name. It's called a zero-based budget. Now that doesn't mean you have zero dollars in your bank account. It just means your income minus all your expenses equals zero.

2. Do the budget together.

If you're married, sit down once a month and have a family budgeting night. Make it fun! Grab some of your favorite snacks and put on a good playlist to help you focus.

You need to get on the same page with money, so set goals together and dream about what the future will look like. Remember: If the two of you are one, your bank accounts should be one too! It's no longer your money or my money-it's our money.

And if you're single, find someone who can act as your accountability partner and help you stick to your goals!

3. Remember that every month is different.

Some months you'll have to budget for things like back-to-school supplies or routine car maintenance. Other months you'll be saving for things like vacations, birthdays and holidays. Regardless of the occasion, make sure you prepare for those expenses in the budget. Keep those special occasions from sneaking up on you by pulling up your calendar while you're creating your budget. (Hint: Christmas is in December again this year, guys!)

Be sure to adjust your budget each month as things change. Make a savings fund you can stash cash in throughout the year. When you don't have a plan, you're going to be stressed. And that takes all the fun out of giving and celebrating. No one wants that!

4. Start with the most important categories first.

Giving and saving are at the top of the list, and then comes the Four Walls: food, utilities, shelter and transportation. Once your true necessities are taken care of, you can fill in the rest of the categories in your budget.

5. Pay off your debt.

If you have debt, paying it off needs to be a top priority. Use the debt snowball method and the 7 Baby Steps to get rid of debt as fast as you can. Attack it! Get mad at it! Stop letting debt rob you of the very thing that helps you win with money-your income.

6. Don't be afraid to trim the budget.

Brace yourself! It might be time for some budget cuts in your life. If things are tight right now, you can save money quickly by canceling your cable, dining out less, and shopping at discount clothing and grocery stores. Remember, your budget cuts are only temporary. You can always make adjustments later on.

7. Make a schedule (and stick to it).

While you're making a budget part of your monthly routine, why not pick specific dates for other expenses? You could set up auto drafts out of your checking account to pay your bills. Or you could buy your groceries on a set day every week or twice a month. When you know what to expect and when to expect it, you take a lot of stress and potential problems out of the picture.

8. Track your progress.

It's important to check your progress from time to time. If you're married, get together and talk about your goals. If not, find someone to check in with. Talk about how budgeting is helping you move forward. Think about how you can tighten spending or maybe even pick up extra income so you can get to those goals faster. And don't forget to celebrate the small wins.

9. Create a buffer in your budget.

Put a small amount of money aside for unexpected expenses throughout the month. Label this as your miscellaneous category in your budget. That way when something comes up, you can cover it without taking away money you've already put somewhere else. Keep track of expenses that frequently end up in this category. Eventually, you might even want to promote them to a permanent spot in your budget.

10. Cut up your credit cards.

If you're really committed to sticking to a budget and getting out of debt, you need to ditch those credit cards for good. Stop using them! Cut them up, shred them, or even make a craft project out of them! Whatever you do, get them out of your life.

Having no credit card debt will mean no more minimum payments to add to the budget, zero hassle with fees or high interest rates, and much less stress and worry. Stick to using your debit card (and even cash!) and dump those credit cards like your ninth-grade fling. You know what the great thing about a debit card is? The money comes straight out of your bank account! There's no middleman charging you 15% interest.

11. Use cash for certain budget categories that trip you up.

If you're constantly overspending on your grocery budget or fun money, cash out those categories and use the envelope system to hold you accountable. Just go to the bank and pull out the cash amount you've budgeted for that category. Once the cash runs out, stop spending! It's the ultimate accountability partner.

12. Try an online budget tool.

If pen and paper (or spreadsheets) aren't your thing, it's time to join the 21st century and use a budgeting tool like EveryDollar. You can focus on planning a budget and tracking your spending from the comfort of your smartphone! Plus, you can sync up your budget with your spouse, which is great for keeping that communication open.

13. Be content and quit the comparisons.

You have much more than you realize. Don't compare your situation to anyone else's. Comparison will not only rob you of your joy but also your paycheck. Keep moving forward and doing what's right for your family.

14. Have goals.

Whether you're paying off student loans, building up your emergency fund, or paying off your mortgage, you need to focus on your why. What's the reason you're making these sacrifices?

15. Give yourself lots of grace.

It usually takes three to four months to get a handle on this whole budgeting thing. It won't be perfect the first time or the second. But you'll get there!

Budgeting Tip for Inconsistent Income

Good news, guys. You can budget with an inconsistent or irregular income. A good rule of thumb is to budget based on what a low-earning month would look like for you. This will be your budgeting income. Here's how it works:

List the things you'd put in your budget. Include things like giving, saving, the Four Walls, etc.

Prioritize your list. Ask yourself, If we had a horrible month and only had enough money to do one thing on this list, what would it be? Put a 1 next to that item.

Keep going. List your second priority with a 2 and go on through your budget that way, marking items by importance. Remember, necessities always come first.

Using this method will not only make your budget work for you, but it will show you exactly where your money is going.

How to Make a Budget

Before we finish up, let's talk through how to make a budget in just five steps.

Budget Step 1: List your income.

Start by listing the money you plan on getting during that month: normal paychecks (for you and your spouse) and anything extra from a garage sale, freelance job or side hustle.

Budget Step 2: List your expenses.

Next, list out your expenses, starting with the Four Walls I talked about in Tip 4. (That's food, utilities, shelter and transportation.) Then list out all the other monthly expenses. We're talking debt, insurance, savings, entertainment and any personal spending.

Budget Step 3: Subtract your expenses from your income.

This is where that zero-based budget that I mentioned earlier comes in. But what happens if you do that math and have extra left over?

Don't just leave it, or you'll spend it here and there without even thinking! Give it a job by putting it toward the Baby Step you're on!

What if you get a negative number? Hey-it'll be okay. But you will need to cut back on the extras or pick up extra work to cover it. Just make sure that picking up extra work never means blowing that money. Put it to work to make your budget work!

P.S. Remember EveryDollar? Well, it does this math for you. Yep. You're welcome!

Budget Step 4: Track your transactions.

Can I let you in on a little secret? The way you'll really win with budgeting is to track your transactions. That means you put every expense and every bit of income into your budget all month long.

This helps you stay accountable to yourself, your spouse (if you're married), and your money! You aren't hiding spending from anyone. And you won't overspend because you'll know what's left in every budget line.

Budget Step 5: Make a new budget before the month begins.

I know I already mentioned this, but I'm repeating it here because it's the final step in your budgeting process.

And it's worth repeating, honestly, because it's so important. This is when you get ready for everything coming your way next month, you guys. Make a new budget-every single month.

How Can I Make a Budget Quickly?

If you're still in debt and haven't saved an emergency fund yet, you're in Baby Step 1. That means your goal for this step of your money journey is to save, save, save! I created a budgeting guide specifically for you here.

Wherever you are in your financial journey, the quickest way to do a budget is by using our free budgeting tool I keep mentioning. With EveryDollar, you can map out next month's budget with ease!

When you realize the purpose of budgeting isn't to limit your freedom but to give you freedom, you'll be on the road to loving your life and your bank account! That's what we call winning with money.

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It's the dreaded B-word- budgeting. Unfortunately, the word budget has gotten a bad rap. When it all boils down, a budget is just a plan for your money. Budgeting means you're spending with purpose before the month begins. Unfortunately, many people view a budget as a straitjacket that will keep them from doing what they want.

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The first obvious tool I use to save money is, well, my savings account through my bank. It's a simple way to set aside money while also earning a little bit back for keeping larger amounts of cash in your bank. I used to have a fairly decent amount of money in my savings account before I had to put most of it towards paying off my reckless spending habits. I'm not sure if this one counts as much for savings as it's technically about investing, though I suppose you could argue that's just a distinction without a difference. Lately I've been getting into this app called Robinhood, which is a simple way to start investing in the stock market and building up some cash. I have some friends who swear by the app and can't recommend it enough, but I haven't had the chance to dive into it myself, so I'm trusting their judgement on this one. Lastly, a good savings tool to use is PocketGuard, which tracks your investments and your net worth, along with providing good budgeting strategies.

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How to Save Money: 27 Proven Ways - NerdWallet

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Save money by using an automated tool or app, getting discounts on entertainment, lowering bills and getting savvy with shopping.