Can’t Afford College? Think Again!

If you follow the news, then you have probably have been reading some very scary stuff recently as pertaining to you being able to afford college. Most certainly, college costs continue to increase while financial aid is down, putting the squeeze on some students. But, for the vast majority of prospective and current college students, higher education is still affordable – you just need to be flexible in pursuit of a degree.

Surveying the current educational landscape, SayCampusLife.com has come up with a list of ways you can afford college without going broke:

Community and Technical Colleges – If you were already planning to attend a state college or university, your state’s community college or technical college system could be the best way to afford your schooling. In many states the two years you spend at community college are accepted by the state colleges which means that you can complete your education at State U. Tuition is much lower through the community/technical colleges then what would pay for the first two years at the state college. Tip: make sure that your community college credits can be transferred to your state college.

Distant Learning – Most distant learning programs are not cheap as some universities operate on a for-profit basis. However, Western Governors University in Salt Lake City is affordable charging about $6000 for an academic year. The school is accredited, backed by nineteen western governors and open to students all across the USA. Tip: Most online schools accept students who need financial assistance.

GI Bill, VA Benefits – If you’ve served in the military or are a child of an active military member or veteran, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the federal government. Active personnel and veterans themselves are, of course, eligible and should inform their school of this.

College Scholarships – Billions of dollars of college scholarship money is available to eligible students each year and, despite the recent economic downturn, still being funded by corporations, businesses, individuals and organizations. Certainly, some programs have been cut back up or have exhausted their funds, but long established scholarship programs remain in place with new ones still being created. Tip: apply for as many scholarships as you can – it can be a numbers game with the more applications submitted, the better your chances of getting help.

Work Study – Working your way through college can be done – it takes discipline to do it. You can also see if your school offers a work study program where you can work part-time while still attending college full time. Visit ed.gov to learn about the federal program and see if your school participates in it.

Students need to be creative when it comes to paying for their education with not everyone able to rely on their parents to fund their education. If you absolutely want a college degree then you’ll probably receive one thanks in part to your tenacity and certainly due to your flexibility.

Adv. — With billions of dollars of college scholarship money available, don’t leave money on the table by not applying for your share of the funds available. Should your scholarship needs still fall short, consider obtaining a private student loan to close the gap between what you owe for your schooling and what money you have available. Private student loans are available on a yearly basis so keep applying for college scholarship money first before seeking private funding. Download our free budget worksheets to help you keep track of your college expenses too!

Tags: college scholarships, community colleges, distant learning, G.I. bill, technical colleges, VA benefits, work study