Tips To Help You Graduate Debt Free

As a college student, you dream of the day when you can be within the career that you have worked hard towards obtaining.

Instead of spending your desired income paying off a debt I am supplying you with some tips to help become debt free at graduation.

Choose In-State Tuition

If you are in the process of searching for a college, then consider staying within your state.

State tuition is substantially cheaper than out of state tuition. To pay in-state tuition, you typically need to be a resident of the state for at least one or two years before you apply to college.

By deciding to stay in your state, you can potentially save thousands of dollars off your total tuition cost.

Stay At Home

Your freedom is important when you are entering the world of adulthood and should be considered when deciding on whether you should move out of your parent’s home.

Some colleges require freshmen to stay on campus but if you are given the option for off-campus housing, and you live close to the university, then consider extending your stay with mom and dad.

You can save a lot of money on your expenses if you do not have to worry about rent and utility bills.

Make sure you and your parents are on the same page when making this decision.

If you choose to stay, then you should still contribute to the family expenses, but you will be saving hundreds of dollars a month compared to living on your own.

Transfer From Community College To Four Year Program

Community College tuition is reasonably priced and well under the tuition rate of a University.

Look into your Community College Transfer Programs. You can choose to take the first two years at the Community College and then finish the last years at a University.

Make sure that you are aware of any credits that may not transfer and work closely with your student advisor to create a detailed plan for your degree.

This will help save thousands off your tuition rate.

Attend An Online College

Sometimes our busy schedules or life circumstances make it difficult for us to dedicate one hundred percent of our time towards the college atmosphere.

Luckily with the advantages of increased technology, we now have the options to attend college online from the comfort of our home.

You can also participate in a college from another state without having to pay the out-of-state tuition.

Apply For Grants

Once you have decided what college you would like to attend, then you have to figure out how you are going to pay for your tuition.

Grants are financial aid that is given to students and does not require repayment.

There are many different grants available to undergraduate students. The most common is the Federal Pell Grant.

The amount given to students, who are approved for a Pell Grant, is determined by financial need, college attendance cost, part-time or full-time enrollment, and length of time to finish your degree.

You can apply for this grant through the Federal Student Aid program, also known as FAFSA.

Search For Scholarships

Scholarships are money that is awarded or gifted to students and do not require repayment.

You may be required to write an essay, pursue a specific field, or have a high academic standing.

To search for scholarships, you can check out websites such as FastWeb.com or Scholarships.com.

Look For Tuition Reimbursement

Many employers offer tuition reimbursement if you take courses that are associated with the business.

If you are working for a company, then ask your employer if they offer tuition reimbursement and what the requirements are to apply.

Typically you will be reimbursed either the whole amount or a percentage depending on your final grade for the course.

Become A Resident Advisor

A Resident Advisor is a student who takes on the responsibility to help their peers and enforce the rules within a residence hall.

Benefits for this position include monthly payments, a scholarship for your housing, and possibly a meal plan.

Join A Work-Study Program

To help pay your way through college, you might need to get a job.

Luckily colleges provide Work-Study Programs to help students obtain part-time or full-time employment. You usually are provided with a job working on campus.

These are great ways for you to cut back the cost of your tuition and find ways to stay out of debt.

All your work towards your degree will be well worth it when you take the proper steps to set yourself up for success.

YOUR TURN: What was the best way you saved money in college? Let me know in the comments below!

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