Making College Affordable – Going to college is not the go-to plan after high school that it once was. Enrollment has been dropping overall for over a decade now. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the major driving factor is cost. Many young people feel that the cost of college is no longer justified. Many have the attitude that unless you plan to be a lawyer or a doctor, it’s just not worth it.
While it is true that a degree is no longer the guarantee of future employment that it once was, there are still plenty of compelling reasons to enroll in a college or university once you’ve finished high school. Most notably, it is still true that college grads typically make about a million dollars more in their lifetime than those who only graduated from high school. And people with undergraduate degrees typically experience about half the unemployment rate as those without one do, regardless of the economy.
If you’d like to attend college but assume you can’t afford it, that may not be true. Here are a few things to think about that could put a two or four-year degree within your reach.
Maximize Loans and Grants
If you are willing to do the work, there are many ways to make college more affordable. Begin with making certain that you file your FAFSA correctly and early. Student loans will be needed by most students, but if you use some other strategies along with federal loans, you don’t have to graduate steeped in debt.
Take the time and effort to research and apply for as many grants as you can. Unlike loans, most grants do not have to be repaid. Finding grants can be a bit of a project, but if you can reduce the amount of tuition you need to pay, it is well worth it. Your guidance counselor in your high school should be able to give you some resources as well.
Consider Community College
Even if all your friends are going to a four-year university, you should give some thought to the local community colleges. The tuition at a junior college or community college is a fraction of the cost of a 4-year college, usually as much as 50% less. Think about spending two years at a community college and knocking out all your general studies courses. Why pay university tuition for classes like World History or English 101? Plus, a two-year community college education is free for residents in 20 states, with many more considering joining the club. Find out if your state is one of them.
Work Your Way Through College
Think about getting a part-time job while you go to school. Yes, this will be tough, but it could give you enough money to minimize how much student aid you need. Additionally, there are some employers like Starbucks and Chipotle who offer tuition assistance to their employees. They also offer free meals to their workers which will save you even more.
Additionally, you can also take advantage of your school’s work-study program. This is just what it sounds like, you work a few hours a week at your school and you receive payment that can be used towards your educational or living costs.
Take It Slow
Just because an associate’s degree is considered a two-year degree, there’s no rule that says you can’t take longer. Sometimes slow and steady really does win the race. Becoming a part-time student will spread out your tuition cost and give you the ability to work full time while you study. Don’t engage in an all-or-nothing mindset. Future employers want you to have a degree, they don’t care how long it took you to get it.
Not everyone wants or even needs to attend college. If you choose not to go for those reasons, that is a perfectly valid choice. However, if you really want to go but feel you can’t for financial reasons, you should know that a degree is still possible for you. It will take effort and you may need to make sacrifices and be willing to accept some compromises, but everything will be worth it when you have your degree.
