The economic realities of educating a growing number of university students have been reckoned with my millions of graduates around the world. States, regional governments and nations that once offered free public education for college students now apply fees to help maintain high teaching standards. Your experiences with post-secondary education up through graduate school will invariably include a college student loan. The delayed expenses of a university education need to be reckoned with upon graduation in a responsible manner.

Your financial and professional future hinges on full payment of your loans. There are many ways to deal with a college student loan beyond setting up regular payments through your employer. The foundation of your postgraduate finances should be a responsible use of credit. Many graduates are exposed to credit card and loan offers during their university years that are designed to bilk money from naive students. You can avoid the typical problems of bad credit after graduation by shopping for credit cards with the right rate. Your wallet should not be overflowing with cards that are left unpaid.

There are various services on the Internet that allow you to shop for rates, terms and conditions to help you manage your credit. Responsible credit use means more money for loan payments and savings. Your living expenses should be kept within your means while you repay your college student loan. The temptation to find an expensive place on your own after graduation can be incredibly strong. You need to create a monthly budget based on your current income and your ongoing expenses to determine your means. You can live with a roommate in a flat including utilities to split costs while you start your career.

Graduates should also avoid an excessive number of meals out on the town to save some money each month. The use of student loans through private banks and other lenders can help you deal with debt through consolidation. Consolidation schemes allow you to shift all of your debt onto one account at a different rate with a longer repayment schedule. Every college student should consider consolidation of their loans after graduation as one way to deal with an increasing debt burden.

The problem for graduates who choose this method of loan management is the proliferation of banks and companies offering rates that are too good to be true. A little research and a focus on your long term financial health can help you get through the college student loan process.

Mike Sandiford is the Sales Manager at JustClick, who are a leading source of Graduate Jobs and Graduate Careers, also offering a Graduate Lifestyles portal with news and reviews on current affairs.