The prevailing culture of college financing is one of federal student loans with nominal interest rates, private lender loans with high interest rates and a mountain of debt upon graduating. But the outlook needn’t look so grim. Many students are finding that college can be accomplished without debt provided they are willing to make a few compromises. Whether you have a job, savings or a little help from your family, there are ways to keep borrowing to a minimum and quite possibly, get through school without having to borrow at all.
One of the biggest cost saving measures you can take is to consider a community college for the first two years of your postgraduate education. There are two benefits to this strategy. The first is obvious in that community college tuition per credit hour is usually a percentage of tuition per credit hour at a four year university. The second benefit is that community colleges are more likely to allow students the maximum credits for CLEP tests, which can save you up to a semester of tuition, books and attendance. That’s 1/8th of the total credit hours necessary for a bachelor degree, provided you’re able to pass the tests and obtain the maximum credits allowed.
The next cost saving measure isn’t applicable to everyone but can be a tremendously effective way to pay for college provided you’re undecided on a major. Most hospitals and a handful of other large employers offer some form of tuition reimbursement provided you enroll in an approved course of study. If you’re going to be working during college and you haven’t decided on a major, try getting an entry level job at a hospital or with a company that offers a good tuition reimbursement program. You’ll have to pay tuition out of pocket, but even if you borrow, the reimbursement will cover all or a good portion of your loans, which will be interest deferred as long as you’re in school. The negative here is that you may have to work full time in order to be eligible, which could mean being a part time college student, but with summer school you should be able to stay on or close to a four year track for graduation.
The final cost saving measure is one that more and more students are finding necessary in the current economy, which is to stay at home. Living expenses are high, and if you can avoid them while trying to obtain your degree, do so. Even though you may be at an age where gaining some independence feels like a necessity, the trade off in financial responsibility can be crippling to your wallet. Provided your family situation allows it, stay at home, eat at home and focus your energies on work and school rather than social pursuits. You’ll be glad you did once you graduate and can land a job that will afford you the ability to move out in style rather than in dorm room efficiency squalor.
For more articles on college scholarships or to register to win a $10,000 scholarship, visit the Scholarships4Moms blog.
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