pay-off-student-loans
Here are some ways you can pay your tuition bills without taking out loans as you work toward your degree.
1. Picking the Right School
The
price tags on colleges and universities can vary greatly, so you can
save yourself some money by choosing wisely. In general, public schools
are cheaper than private institutions. There are also schools that
provide financial aid based on need, some that offer free tuition based
on your academic record, and some that are free altogether. You can also
consider attending community college for the first few years of school
then transferring to a four-year institution, saving thousands of
dollars.
2. Grants
Grants
are essentially gifts typically (but not always) reserved for students
who demonstrate financial need. They can be awarded by the government at
the state and federal level or come from private organizations and
universities. Many grants target specific segments of student by major
and interest or some other defining trait (like first-generation
students). You will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid, or FAFSA to be eligible for a federal grant. It's also a
good idea to do some online research to find others.
3. Work-Study
Student
employment through the university can help fund your college expenses.
The Federal Work-Study Program offers these opportunities at more
than 3,400 schools, so make sure you tick the box on your FAFSA
indicating interest in student employment. These are usually part-time
positions that likely align with your field of study, giving you an
additional resume boost.
4. Scholarships
There
are all sorts of scholarships out there that you may qualify for based
on your academic, athletic or community-oriented experiences. Some are
highly competitive, and it's a good idea to look for and apply to as
many as you can. Qualifications may be based on background, ethnicity,
location, desired area of study or something you have accomplished. Most
will require a writing sample so you can prepare early by writing a few
different essays that you can customize for specific scholarship offers
and keep track of the key information for each one with a spreadsheet.
Like grants, these do not have to be repaid.
5. Side Jobs
If
possible while maintaining your studies, you can always look into
leveraging your skills and work ethic into an off-campus gig. Look
online and at job boards across campus or in your college town for some
easy ways to earn more cash. These can range from waiting tables,
working on a construction crew, acting as an administrative assistant,
getting a paid internship, tutoring kids in the local community, or even
freelancing your writing or design skills.
6. Crowdfunding
The
newest way students are finding financial help for college education is
through online crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe, DreamFund, Indiegogo
and more. You can ask family and friends to pitch in any possible amount
for your education and even inspire strangers by sharing your personal
story. The more compelling your degree pursuit is and the better an
investment you can sell yourself as, the more successful this strategy
is likely to be.
7. Employer Reimbursement
If
you have a job before earning your college degree, you may be able to
get help funding higher education with your employer. Many will
reimburse employees for part or all of college tuition costs
— especially if the course or major is directly related to their current
field. Check with your employer if you are looking into colleges and
see if you can reach some sort of arrangement. You could even seek out
employers or companies that offer this benefit if you are just starting
your job search.
The cost of higher education can be overwhelming, but there are avenues you can take to afford college and enter "the real world" without carrying too much (if any) debt. All it takes is some research, a little creativity, and a lot of hard work.
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