Cut College Costs- 32 Possibilities to Explore

These tips apply to anyone who plans to attend college or who is already enrolled. At least two-thirds of college students need to take out college loans to finance their education, and these loans take many years to pay off, anywhere from 10-30 years in most cases. If you can cut the amount you need to borrow, your lower student loan balance will be easier to pay off.

1. Check with the education office of your state government to see what sorts of scholarships, grants, or loans are available from your state. Many states have programs like these.
2. Have your parents check to see if the companies they work for offer tuition assistance to children of employees.
3. If you are a good athlete you might qualify for an athletic scholarship. Ask your high school coach and/or guidance councilor for help if you think you might qualify.
4. If you live close enough to your school to commute there from home you can save a lot of money. Living costs can be a major portion of college expense.
5. If you are going to borrow money via student loans to finance most or all of your college education, try to graduate in three years instead of four years or longer. If will be a lot of work, but your debt burden will be significantly reduced. Ask your academic advisor up-front about this type of program.
6. Check with the schools you are interested in to see what merit scholarships are available. These are not need based and anyone can qualify regardless of parental income.
7. While in high school be sure to take exams to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program scholarship awards. Ask your school counselor about how to do this if you don't know.
8. If you are a musician or are planning on studying drama or journalism for example, you might qualify for some financial assistance at many schools. Ask your department head if any help like this is available and if your might qualify.
9. Purchase only used textbooks. Do a google search for 'cheap college textbooks'. You will see a lot sites offering deals. You can also sell used textbooks although you may need to keep those textbooks that pertain to your major field of study.
10. In-state residents get better tuition fees than do out of state students at state colleges and universities. Consider staying in your own state for school, at least for your first two years.
11. Check with the schools you are interested in to see what merit scholarships are available. These are not need based and anyone can qualify regardless of parental income.
12. Working part-time can be a huge help with paying college expenses. Don't overdo it, however. Your top priority needs to be getting the most out of your studies. Some campuses offer work in exchange for room and board, so look for these types of opportunities. Do this as early as possible since sometimes these opportunities are first-come first-served.
13. Taking fewer classes can reduce the amount of time you need to be in school. Sometimes you can take an examination in a particular subject and get credit for having taken that class. Ask about programs like the Advanced Placement Program (APP), the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), and the Provenience Examination Program (PEP).
14. While in high school be sure to take exams to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program scholarship awards. Ask your school counselor about how to do this if you don't know.
15. If you aren't going to get much help covering college costs from your parents, you might want to consider going to a community college or a junior college for your first one or two years. If you lived at home your savings would be much greater. Be very careful to make sure that the credits you earn will be transferrable to the school you ultimately wish to attend. Don't put yourself in a position to be surprised and find out the credits you took end up being worthless.
16. If your parents can afford to purchase a house in or near the town where you attend college, they can rent out rooms to other students. Often the rent will pay the mortgage and the value of the home will increase during your college years. This strategy has obvious risks when housing prices fluctuate.
17. You might be able to get credits for life experiences and thus validate some classes. Write to the Distance Education and Training Council at 1601 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, or call (202) 234-5100.
18. Some schools charge the same price for a certain amount of credits taken each semester. If you can handle the study load, try to take the maximum number of credits in this case, as it will reduce the amount of time you need to spend at school.
19. Sometimes you can take summer classes at a community college or a junior college, and these could be less expensive than your regular school, especially if you are living at home in the summer. Just make sure the classes you take are transferrable.
20. Check into employment opportunities offered at your school. Most schools have placement offices to help students find part-time employment on campus.
21. If one of your parents is employed at a college or university you may be in luck. Many institutions allow children of employees to attend the school at greatly reduced tuition, sometimes even at no cost. These types of programs are not need based so they are open to everyone who qualifies.
22. Look for work as an RA (Resident Advisor). Older students can get reduced or even free room and board for supervising younger students. Room and board is a major college expense, so thousands of dollars per year can be saved in this way.
23. If you are open to serving in the military after graduation, look into ROTC scholarships or an appointment to one of the military academies such as West Pt., Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, or the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. You need to be looking into these types of scholarships early, even in your junior year of high school. There are lots of tests to be taken, as these appointments are highly sought after and are competitive.
24. Look for a low cost school. Periodically there are lists published of schools that provide good value, that is, they have a good reputation and are lower priced than other schools. Try a search for 'high quality affordable college' and start your research there.
25. If you are thinking about attending a school of which one of your parents is an alumnus, you may be able to get a lower tuition.
26. If you have a sibling who attends the same school as you, you might be entitled to lower tuition.
27. If you are enrolled in a school and you can get credit for recruiting another student, you might be entitled to a discount. Check into whether your school offers such benefits.
28. Find out if your school offers tuition discounts to student government participants or to people who work of school newspapers and yearbooks.
29. Some schools offer tuition discounts to older students.
30. Some colleges will convert non-federal loans into non-federal grants to students who stay in school and graduate.
31. Some schools will offer lower tuition if the main income earner in a student's family is unemployed.
32. Some schools have special funds for families who do not qualify for state or federal funding.

Walt Ballenberger is founder of Student Debt Consolidation a resource site with articles and information about student loans and management of student debt and credit card debt. For more information about student debt visit Student Debt Consolidation.

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