| For far too long, college students have spent money | | | | Many reimburse a percentage of your costs for tuition |
| that doesn't have to be spent. Now, with the economy | | | | and books based on the grades you achieve. |
| faltering and the cost of college at an all time high, | | | | Attend A Local College And Live At Home - At many |
| more students are dropping out of college for financial | | | | colleges, room and board will represent around 20% of |
| reasons. Other students are leaving college with huge | | | | your costs, sometimes more. By attending a local |
| debts and a twinge of fear. That's why wise students | | | | college, you can nearly eliminate these costs. In some |
| are aggressively looking for every possible way to cut | | | | cases, the local college may also be less expensive. |
| their costs and increase their income. | | | | When you eat your meals at home and take a brown |
| Here are a few ideas for students and parents to | | | | bag lunch, additional savings, however small, will result. |
| consider. | | | | Sell Your Car and Ride A Bike - If you live at home, |
| Seek Out Grants, Scholarships And Financial Aid, Not | | | | you can achieve a dramatic savings by eliminating your |
| Loans - Over the past thirty years, colleges have lulled | | | | car during the college years. Yes, for many students, |
| parents and students into thinking that loans are | | | | this is a psychological and emotional issue. However, a |
| financial aid. They are not. Loans have to be paid back. | | | | car can be a money pit (purchase price, maintenance, |
| They place a large and immediate financial burden on | | | | repairs, fuel and insurance). If you make the sacrifice |
| graduates and often last for more than twenty years. | | | | and find other less expensive means of transportation, |
| True financial aid is money that doesn't have to be | | | | this action can pay off. |
| paid back. Since it exists in many forms, students and | | | | Take Some Online Courses - Many colleges now |
| parents should start looking for aid in the junior year of | | | | offer online courses. They eliminate your transportation |
| high school. This doesn't mean that students won't end | | | | needs and offer greater convenience. Furthermore, |
| up with some loans. However, if good students start | | | | some of these courses can be taken as you have |
| early and work diligently, more true financial aid will flow | | | | time because classes can be viewed at your |
| their way. | | | | convenience. This approach is expedient and a cost |
| Start Off At A Community College - Students can | | | | effective alternative for people with busy lives. |
| dramatically cut their costs by attending a well | | | | Cut Up Your Credit Cards - If you don't have the cash |
| respected community college for the first two years | | | | to pay for something, don't buy it now. Wait until you |
| of college. At the same time, if they seek financial aid, | | | | have the money. Too many young adults graduate |
| work at a part-time job while in college and also work | | | | from college not only with college loans, they also owe |
| summers, they can completely avoid taking out loans. | | | | money on their credit cards. Some owe more than |
| In this way, students can get through the first two | | | | $5,000. |
| years nearly debt free. Caution: Identify the two | | | | Evaluate Your Spending - Some students have |
| colleges to which you are most likely to transfer. Then, | | | | difficulty understanding the difference between needs |
| make certain that you take only courses that will be | | | | and wants. However, almost anyone can chart their |
| accepted by those colleges. Also, keep your grades | | | | monthly spending to see where their money is going. |
| up. Transfer colleges won't accept poor grades. | | | | Armed with that information, many students can cut |
| Start Off At A Lower Cost Four Year College - The | | | | their spending by 10 - 20%. |
| same advice about Community Colleges will apply to | | | | Get A Part-Time Job - If you are attending college on |
| lower cost, four year colleges. Choose wisely and you | | | | a full-time basis, you should be able to find a part-time |
| will benefit. | | | | job that will cover some of your weekly expenses. |
| Attend A College That Offers An Accelerated | | | | When money is tight, a part-time job is more than an |
| Degree Program - Some colleges offer you the | | | | option. |
| opportunity to complete your college degree in less | | | | A Campus-Wide Lawn Sale - With permission from |
| that four years. If you have the temperament and | | | | the college, any student or student group can take the |
| work ethic, you can save time and money. However, | | | | initiative and arrange for a campus-wide lawn sale/tag |
| only highly motivated and dedicated students are | | | | sale/street festival during the semester. Individual |
| usually suitable for such a commitment. | | | | students and student groups will then have the |
| Increase or Decrease The Credits You Take - At | | | | opportunity to reserve lawn blanket space for the sale |
| some colleges, students pay the same tuition whether | | | | of their used Electronic Equipment, CD's, DVD's, Books, |
| they take 15 or 18 credits. If the student is both willing | | | | Clothing, and anything else that may be relevant. As |
| and capable, why not take 18 credits and get one | | | | appropriate, Entertainment and Food items may also |
| course at no extra cost. By doing that, some students | | | | be provided to attract buyers. For the most |
| can cut out a full semester and graduate in three and | | | | enterprising and businesslike students, this kind of |
| a half years. For students who work full time and even | | | | campus event can result in a substantial amount of |
| for some part-timers, taking six or nine credits may be | | | | income. |
| a way to get through college without college loans. | | | | When money is tight, there are only two prudent things |
| This will greatly depend on your income. | | | | that students can do. One is to reduce expenses; the |
| Seek Out And Work For An Employer That Offers | | | | other is to increase income. Since a college education |
| An Educational Assistance Program - A number of | | | | is a requirement for many good jobs, serious students |
| employers still offer educational assistance programs | | | | must face their financial challenges with a willingness to |
| for their full-time employees. Investigate their | | | | make the sacrifices that will get them through the |
| requirements. Most require at least one year of | | | | tough times. It's those sacrifices that will strengthen |
| service and pursuit of a degree that is job related. | | | | their resolve and lead to greater success. |