good idea, but i'll tell you why its not going to work. First, you never
mentioned the concept of inflation. Second, its not just about zero
interest, I can tell you about quantitative easing and how that has
inflated the stock/bond market to new highs. The foundation of the problem
is that we have a fiat currency which is open to currency manipulation.
Inflation is a hidden tax. Other point is that college tuition has
increased 1100% in the last generation. You cannot compete against just
thievery. I agree with your points to reduce your college debt (local
community college, no meal plan etc), but what would be a better plan would
be to create an online education/degree which charged fair market prices
for tuition (not inflated ones). You have to undercut the competition.
Ultimately, the sunnah/quran is that money is based in tangible assets
(gold, silver) AND when we don't have enough there you can use items with
intrinsic value. That's how you protect the price of goods and services
from being decoupled from reality.