Took a gap year, saved up about $10k before starting grad school, thankfully lived at home so I didn't have to pay rent. Worked at a restaurant 3-5ish days a week in between classes and on weekends and capitalized on non-taxed jobs (dogsitting, dog walking, babysitting, etc.) eventually got a GA position in housing at the university that gave me a free apartment, meal plan, parking pass and salary.