Whether you are the student or the parent, paying off loans for tuition can be a very tall mountain to climb. 

Connie Miller with the DeWitt Savings Bank urges parents and students to do the research and come up with a plan on what kind of loans they qualify for, and which ones are smart to take out. 

As always, Miller says having a plan is the first step. In this case, she emphasizes that the plan should be for the student's entire college career to avoid having to stop going for financial reasons. 

The Trump Administration's "One Big Beautiful Bill" has changed the way that federal student loan payments are made. Miller notes that those who have automatic payments on get a 1% lower interest rate, which can make a big impact. 

At the end of the day, Miller says paying off your loans as fast as possible is the best option to avoid paying more over time due to interest rates. She compares student loans to handcuffs for young people entering the world. 

Miller notes that there are even some online university options that allow unlimited courses for a certain period for a fee, allowing you to graduate faster for cheaper.