Higher education and specialized job training are crucial to success in most professions. But this success does not come cheap. School tuition are at all time highs and still climbing.

Even at State subsidized schools, tuition can exceed six figures for a four year degree. And post-graduate degrees can be even more expensive.

School loans will allow you to get the education that you need to succeed but may leave you with debts that will cancel out any benefit the education may have made on your disposable income. It is not unusual these days for a college graduate to enter the workforce with tens of thousands of dollars in debt.

Make no mistake, a student loan is money that must be paid back, with interest. Even if you don't end up graduating.

Here are some ideas to help handle the school loan paradox.

First, remember that the best money is free money. Every dollar that you can get in the form of scholarships or grants is one less dollar that you have to pay back later on. It may not seem like much now, but in four years, it will make a big difference.

Each year, thousands of dollars of grant and scholarship money go unused because no one asked for it. Take advantage of anything that you can get. Even a three hundred dollar scholarship will pay for a quarter or semesters books.

Another strategy for keeping the school loan levels in check is to get a job. Statistics have shown that students who work 20 hours per week, particularly on campus, have a higher graduation rate than students who don't work during school. Many schools offer a work study program that allows you to practice the skills that you are learning while still attending classes.

When looking into school loans, the best place to start is with the government subsidized loan programs, like the Stafford Loan. Not only do these offer lower interest rates, but in many cases, loan forgiveness is available in select careers if the student is willing to work a specific jobs for a period of time after graduation. These include teaching, medical and some engineering specialties.

An important tool for accessing subsidized aid and loans is the FAFSA application. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid and must be filled out by both the student and the parents. This online application is a one stop entry into the Federal Loan and Grant programs.

After it is filled out and submitted, it is scored by the Government and your institution's financial aid officers to determine how much you are eligible to get from the Federal Government in the form of grants or subsidized school loans.

Once the other options have been exhausted, private school loan plans kick in. As with any loan, check the reputation of the lender before you sign. The financial aid office of your school can help.

An important warning. Remember what your school loans are meant to be used for. It is not unusual for students to use their loan money for gaming computers, Spring break travel packages, and even a new car. While that may seem like a great idea at the time, it may not seem so great in four years when the bills start showing up at your door.