If you're like the typical young adult, the only vacation hot spot you can afford this spring break is probably the guest room at your parents' house, or so you thought. However, if you happen to be going to school, take advantage of your student status and make partying with Carson Daly and Tara Reid a reality come this March.

Do you want to be neck-deep in mardi gras beads on Bourbon Street, or cruising the shoreline in Cancun? Taking advantage of the opportunities available for college students and knowing a few tricks of the travel trade will get you far from campus for a fraction of the normal cost. Look for the deals, research your destination, and scrap that five-star oceanfront resort for a bunk bed ten blocks from the beach. Spring break away from home might be a little more work, but the results will be much less of a burden on your account balance.

Online travel agencies such as STA Travel and Student Universe cater specifically to college students. With cheaper airline tickets, reservations for hotels and hostels, and vacation packages at a discounted price, it's easy to find a great deal. STA Travel is also a resource for internships and jobs abroad for students who choose to travel during the school year. Remember, these services are only available to students so take advantage of them while you still can.

Pick up a travel guide like Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door. This comprehensive guide offers tips on getting the most out of Europe for the least amount of money. Steves familiarizes readers with their destinations and supplies them with the confidence needed to have a fulfilling experience without going broke. Knowing more about your vacation destination can save big bucks on transportation, food, and entertainment. Look for similar resources about vacation destinations all around the globe.

Instead of that fancy hotel suite with the heart-shaped bed and 61-inch plasma television, make reservations at a student hostel. Hostels are cheap, no-frills establishments that offer a bed to sleep in and a meal, if you're lucky. Though they offer significantly fewer amenities and are a bit less comfortable than a hotel or resort, they serve as a great place to meet other students as well as provide a more cultural experience. Most importantly, hostels typically are one-tenth the cost of a hotel or resort. Besides, all that money you save can go toward more important things like your college fund and padding your DVD collection.

Whether you'd rather help your mom clean the window blinds during spring break or get a tan with your friends on the white sandy beaches of some tropical island, traveling is always an affordable option if you capitalize on the resources around you. Find the deals, do your research and sacrifice room service for an experience you will never forget.