How to Pay for College
If the next clear thought that comes to your mind after the idea of going to college is considering how to pay for it, then you’ve already taken the first step towards making that dream a reality.
This means that while you’ve decided that college is the best path for you to take after high school, you also realize that unlike most of the other best things in life, a college course doesn’t come free – or even cheap.
That’s a key lesson to learn early in the race – which is a good way to think of how to get to your goal – and to remember as you try to stay on track.
How to Pay for College
College costs. And unless you’re a kid with a 529 plan or parents who are able and willing to pick up the tab for the next four years or so of your life – which means you really don’t need to spend time on this article and should instead be getting on with schoolwork – that’s probably one of the first things you should be aware of and prepare for.
But that doesn’t make a college education impossible or unachievable. It just means that you’ll need to get some work done to cover the costs – either literally or strategically.
Now getting paid for goods made or services rendered is a sure way to raise funds for college. But as this may not always be feasible, practical or substantial enough – or may not actually fit in with your schedule as yet – let’s take a look instead at a more strategic approach to the problem of covering the cost of a college education.
Since you’re looking to get into a college course program, think of this exercise as getting yourself psyched up for the future, using an analytical approach to the problem.
Getting the Questions Right
Remember the science experiments you did in high school? The way to get to a rational and successful conclusion is to formulate or ask the right questions.
So for what I’d call this College Dream 101 program, let’s start with the basic questions. This is the “Who-What-How” routine. Sounds simple, but not if you take this very thoroughly and seriously.
- Who’s Going to College?
You are, of course. But you need to know who’s coming along, or at least willing to, for the long haul. This means, who wants to be in on your plans not only in terms of moral support and encouragement but actual material assistance. Share the dream and your plans with relatives and friends. Have a serious talk, particularly with your parents, to find out if and how they can help with expenses. When parents see how determined a child is to improve himself or advance his career path, it’s natural for them to be drawn in and get involved. While it may be true that they are under no legal obligation to provide you with a college education, they could very well pitch in to help for the sheer love and joy of it, as parents are won’t to do. Ditto for siblings or a favorite aunt or uncle who may just be waiting in the wings to be a benefactor.
- What School? What Course?
This obviously matters early in the reckoning because the university or college that you choose to go to, as well as the program you plan to pursue, determines how much the dream package will cost. And the range is vast. In 2010, the average annual cost of tuition and fees at community colleges across the country was $2,544, compared to $26,273 for a four-year course in a private college.
Choosing a public academic institution in the state where you reside also spells some discounts and savings for you. There are differences as well in availability, access and qualifications for scholarships, grants and loans in various schools so you should factor this in when choosing one institution over another. So learn this fast and remember it long: like many things in life, the choice of a college and course is not solely about what you want in life but what fits into your life.
- How will you See this Through?
If this were a game or a race and you have assembled a team to work with, now that you have your goal in sight and the track ahead of you, you can plan the strategy.
Study Options and Draw up a Plan
The first two questions above are meant to lead to a framework strategy to achieve or answer the third question.
Once you know, for instance, if your parents can help defray your college costs, and importantly the extent to which they can help, then you have a better picture of the amount you will need and how to get it. So lay your cards on the table and get them to do likewise – if possible, in dollars and cents. Work out ways they could be concretely and quantifiably involved in your college dream, such as a fixed regular monthly allowance or stipend, or full coverage of certain fees like dorm or books. You could similarly parcel out expenses for others who might want to pitch in. This way, it’s not too intimidating for them to commit support for you.
Now for the second issue, the choice of school and course, if you did your research and oculars (either actual through a campus visit or virtual through an online visits) and found the perfect fit scholastically and financially, then these should be your next stops:
- The scholarship and grants office of your school. The earliest you know what opportunities are available for students who require financial assistance, and the qualifications or criteria, then the earliest you can apply for them.
- Search for other grants-giving organizations, corporations or agencies. You may want to check out such websites as The College Grants Database at www.collegegrant.net or www.scholarships.com, for instance. Meticulous research and perseverance in sending out applications should yield some promising prospects. The experience, at the least, will boost your confidence and provide valuable training in dealing with challenges and personalities.
- Check out state and community organizations that may have mandates for providing scholarship for deserving students within their area of influence or involvement. Civic groups and clubs often also have some funds set aside for academic scholarship and student support.
Not all scholarship grants cover the full amount of tuition and miscellaneous fees, books and living expenses so make sure you are fully aware of what the grant involves and if there are conditions attached. Determine as well what is more appropriate for your situation. A merit-based grant often includes a grade standard that has to be maintained throughout the schoolyear or course. On the other hand, a need-based grant by simply requires the student to be currently enrolled and in good standing for the duration of the school year and course.
Should you take out a student loan or a free grants for women? Academic counselors advise that this be considered only as a last resort. Getting through college and getting into debt is not exactly the best way to start a career.
Seek Other Ways to Increase your Funds or Cut your Costs
Now that you’ve decided on your school and course, roped in your parents and other people who care enough to help see you through this major life event, and accessed the grants and student aid available from your school, state and community. It’s time now to take a long hard look at how else you can make college life easier by relieving your mind of financial burden on top of schoolwork.
Some people may argue that this segment should come first. On the other hand, I would rather this be considered last, since I always presume that for any kid who has his or heart bent on going to college, this is instinctive and need not be in a “to-do” or “how-to” list.
This, of course, means looking at ways to increase your funds – which basically implies getting a job or some form of funds/benefit for work arrangement. Some universities or schools have such programs, which translate into student grants or assistance. Likewise, if you already started working after high school graduation, you may opt to keep part time hours so you still have some income to cover part of your expenses. It would be good to remember, though, whatever working arrangement you may come up with, that the least tension between school and work, the better your chances of getting through college, and with better grades.
More Student Loan Help Sources
- Paying Student Loans
- Student Loan Debt Relief
- Student Loan Consolidation Companies
- Private Student Loan without Cosignor
- FAFSA Student Loans
Finally, it bears mentioning and repeating, whether for a full-time student or working student, that being penny-wise is still the best way to make sure you have enough funds for college. Whether it be as major a decision as moving back home with your parents to save on dorm costs if you’re schooling within the state and within commuting distance, opting for second-hand books rather than spanking-new volumes, or choosing to brew a cup at home instead of going to a coffee shop for the morning’s upper, if you look at it from the right perspective, you’ll ace your College Dream 101.
Calleigh Queenan currently writes for vacuum cleaner reviews, an online reviews created to share her honest opinions based on hands-on experience on products. Calleigh is a stay at home mom and enjoys offering her tips on Hoover vacuum Reviews.
