I wasn’t able to make a video today, but I wanted to give you the same information that I would have if I’d had the chance to make the video. If you have any questions about what I’m talking about, please let me know!
Paying for college is one of the hardest parts about college, especially if your family makes within a certain income. Here are some things I used to make paying for school a little easier.
- Fill out the FAFSA.
This might sound simple, but if you don’t fill out the FAFSA then there’s no way you can get the money, even if you’re qualified for it. Take the time to do your taxes, and get a copy of your parents’ taxes, and fill out the information. (Remember, you are only classified as independent if you are over 23, working on a post-baccalaureate degree, are married, have a dependent, or one of other classifications HERE, so you’ll need your parents information if you can’t classify as an independent.) If you have questions, you can contact the Federal Student Aid office or ask a Financial Aid Counselor at your school. - Look for scholarships.
Colleges and universities often have scholarships for people with certain GPAs or in certain programs, so use your university financial aid website and departmental website to look for those. Also, use places like collegescholarships.com and scholarships.com to start searching, check local businesses and local rotary clubs to see if they have scholarships, and, if you already know what kind of degree you’re interested in getting, look in the industry you’d one day like to work in and see if they have scholarships or grants. - Don’t be afraid of loans.
I know loans can be scary, and they can make you feel like you’re going to be in debt forever, but I also believe they can be worth it. I’ve always wanted a college degree, and a master’s degree, and a doctoral degree, and if I have to take out a loan in order to get those, I will. Not everyone feels that way, and I get that, but they worked for me. If you’re able to qualify for a loan on your own, or find someone who will co-sign with you, don’t be afraid of them. Additionally, President Obama recently decreased the percentage of your income that should go to your student loans from 15% to 10% if you’re enrolled in Income Based Repayment, so there are ways to repay your loans without making yourself broke. - Start at a community college.
While I originally started at a university, I ended up moving back home and going to the community college. The cost was exponentially less, and I was lucky enough to receive enough grants and scholarships that I never paid a dime for my year at the community college. Even if I hadn’t been that lucky, it would have been a lot cheaper for me to pay for school there – and get a great education. - Stay in-state.
It’s amazing and fun to go out of state, but it’s often double the cost, so if you’re trying to get a good education without breaking the bank, find a good in-state, public institution. If you must go out of state, see if you can find a public institution that is cheaper than the cheapest in-state institution (they’re out there, I promise). - Look for programs that will help you pay for school.
This is especially true if you’re looking to get a post-baccalaureate degree, but there are also programs that will pay for undergraduate degrees. Often these are programs for degrees in education, nursing, social work, or other “helping” degrees, but there might be some for other programs as well. These can often be found through the department you’re heading into, or at your high school guidance counselor’s office. Look for fellowships specifically, as those often help pay for school if you work for a certain type of school or program for a certain number of years. Another great place to look is AmeriCorps, as they’ll often help pay for school for a certain number of volunteer hours, and programs like Peace Corps or Jesuit Volunteer Corps will help you pay your loans after you graduate. - Work your way through school.
It’s not as easy as it once was to work your way through school, but it’s still possible. My brother did it, and it took him longer to get his degree than some others, but he still got it. It’s okay to take more than four years to get your degree, and it’s okay to just take one class at a time. Pay for school in whatever way you can. - Take a deep breath and take things one step at a time.
Financial problems can be worrisome, and it can definitely be stressful to try and pay for college, so don’t be afraid to ask for help, or take some time off if you need to do that. If you want a college degree, you’ll find a way to get it. Its doesn’t matter how long it takes.
If you have any additional questions about Financial Aid or paying for college, leave them below. And if you have any other questions about college or life after college, leave them here.