(NC) According to a recent poll conducted for the Bank of Montreal, 27 percent of students said that their most significant stress is finding a way to pay for school, while 20 percent said their top concern is getting good marks.

Post-secondary students know that preparation is the key to a successful semester. Planning a study schedule allows you to avoid the stress of cramming; starting your assignments early gives you time to handle unexpected events. Likewise, planning a budget for your post-secondary education relieves stress by showing how much your education will cost. With a study budget, you can start thinking about where the money will come from and even look for ways to save money while at school.

November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada (itpaystoknow.gc.ca/flm) and it's a great time for current and future post- secondary students to learn how to study on a budget.

A realistic estimate of how much your education will cost is the first step. Use the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada's (FCAC) Student Budget Calculator, available at itpaystoknow.ca, to work out your expected income versus your expenses throughout the school year. Review your spending each month to make sure that you're on track with your budget and that you'll have enough money to make it through the term. If your expenses are greater than your income, start looking for ways to save; visit canlearn.ca for information about applying for grants, bursaries and scholarships; use your student card for discounts; buy used textbooks and sell your old ones.

More tips on minimizing your student debt are available at FCAC's life event, Paying for Post Secondary Education. Remember that developing good financial habits before and during your post-secondary studies will make paying down debt easier once you graduate.