Preparing for college, no matter what age you are, is a lengthy process, from deciding what college to attend, what degree to go for, and even how you are going to pay for it. There are several payment options when it comes to school, from loans to cash.
Tuition is probably the biggest dilemma for many when it comes to attending college. How ill you pay back loans? How can you afford college without loans? If you weren’t thinking of college when you first entered high school it’s less likely you’re prepared to try for grants and scholarships.
So, how are you going to pay to get a higher education? Here are some ideas.
Start Saving Your Pennies
You may have to save a lot of pennies to pay for an entire college education, even if you are just going for an associated degree. There are ways to save money though. Teenagers that are just starting to think about college can save money from birthdays, summer jobs and even the money they get at their graduation party. If it’s not enough to pay for some credits it may be enough to pay down some of the loans you’ll have.
Get a Loan
There are a couple different types of loans to help pay for college. The two basic loan types are subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans have a cap on how much you can borrow. You can get these types of loans through your college of choice or through federal aid. You can also opt for a private loan, such as a bank loan.
The problem with loans is that they add up and they include interest. Interest means you end up paying more than the actual cost of your education.
Think About Trade School
Learning a trade can be much cheaper than gaining a college degree. It can also be a quick way to start a career. Often, trade schools let you start working in your field while you are training so you can start earning right away.
Be aware that not every college will be right for your career choice. Some colleges that only offer classes through online portals may offer classes that cannot transfer credits and their classes may not be recognized in your industry, if there are certain courses you need in order to get licensing.
According to an article on free tuition posted on Worthly, there are some high class colleges that give free tuition to students that fall into certain tax brackets. If you are one of these lucky people, with the high school credentials to get you past the doors, you’re lucky.
College isn’t cheap, and even if tuition rates go down it will still leave a pricey dent in your pocket.
