It is easy to despair for young Americans, who are literally selling themselves to fund their college education.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Rebekah Bell, a recent graduate of Biola University in California, discusses how it is possible to graduate with a college degree and little to no student debt.

The lesson here is that students should do everything within their power to avoid this kind of debt. Although attending school without loans is difficult, it is not impossible. Here’s what I learned about avoiding the debt trap:

• Think creatively. I attended a college close to home during my freshman year because it offered a scholarship. I also took classes online to save money….

• Look hard for scholarships. I received an academic scholarship and need-based aid through my university. I also received several community and church scholarships and a matching grant through my father’s workplace. Searching for scholarships and aid is tiring but can definitely pay off.

• Use your skills. Figure out a way to use your college interests to earn extra money—and to beef up your résumé and gain real-world experience. I competed on my university’s speech team and worked as a videographer for the college newspaper in exchange for several thousand dollars’ worth of scholarship money….

• Generate income. There are creative ways to make money. For me, it meant raising and selling cattle (one of the perks of being raised as a 4-H kid on a farm). One friend became a wedding photographer, earning cash and working only on weekends. My older sister taught piano lessons. A tech-savvy friend did Web design. These were all jobs that brought in money without interfering with classes.

• Make the most of summers. I worked full-time but also spent time interning for film companies. Some of my friends found paid internships during the summer, worked at camps, or took classes at community college for a fraction of the cost. One friend who did this was able to graduate a semester early, thereby saving several thousand dollars on tuition.

• Live frugally. I had a 10-meal per week plan and bought groceries for the rest of my meals. I also lived in a less expensive dorm and had two roommates instead of one, which saved money on room and board. Figure out simple ways to save money. Even if it’s only $20 or $30 a month, it adds up over a year.