community college

How to Pay for College When You Didn't Get a Scholarship

Ashley Eneriz — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 09:31:15 +0000

Before I enrolled in college, I attended several seminars and read several books and articles on the magic of paying for your degree with scholarships. It seemed that there were so many success stories out there, and with around $46 billion of grant and scholarship money awarded each year in the U.S., I figured I could at least snag half off my college bill.

One year and over 100 applications later, I only won two local scholarships that totaled $2,500.

Sound familiar? If you feel like you can't win the scholarship game, don't despair. There are still other ways to afford your degree.

1. Ask your employer

Your place of employment could have more to offer than a paycheck. Many companies offer tuition reimbursement and employee scholarships, but sometimes you have to ask. If your company does not currently offer any tuition benefits, and you're preparing to apply for college, it may be time to switch jobs to an employer that does.

Once you graduate, also be sure to look for companies that offer tuition repayment as part of the benefits package. Many places, including UPS, Staples, and Aetna, offer this bonus to college students or grads. (See also: These 17 Companies Will Help You Repay Your Student Loan)

2. Don't forget about tax benefits

When it comes to tuition, every little bit helps. Tax credits shouldn't be overlooked. The American opportunity credit (AOC) offers student taxpayers or their parents a tax credit of up to $2,500 per tax year, for up to four years. Eligible students must be enrolled in a degree program or pursuing other credible secondary education. The AOC can either be claimed by a student, or a dependent student's parents — just not by both. And even better, the AOC was not affected by the new tax law.

3. Apply for financial aid

It is crucial to fill out the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) each year, even if you think your parents make too much money. You never know what type of aid you will qualify for, and the application takes less than an hour to complete.

Also, submitting the FAFSA makes you eligible for federal student loans, which have more lenient payback options than private loans. (See also: 5 Reasons Why Every Student Should Fill Out the FAFSA)

4. Turn to your local community college

A community college can help you fill the requirements for many general education classes at a fraction of the cost of private or even in-state universities. As long as the credits are transferrable, a university will accept community college transcripts.

If you don't live near a community college, try taking online classes through one closest to you. Many times, you'll be able to complete the work of an online class flexibly, so you can turn in assignments late at night or early in the morning before physical classes are even in session. This could also give you more room in your schedule for a part-time job, which will help you stash even more dollars away for school. (See also: 6 Ways to Pay Less Money For A College Degree)

5. Don't use education loans or savings for anything else

Just because you have to take out a student loan doesn't mean the money should be used to float your every expense throughout your college career. Use the money only for tuition and other school necessities, like books and course materials. Live frugally for the rest of your needs and expenses. This may mean you don't get to experience dorm life to the fullest, or type your essays on a brand-new laptop, but it will be worth the sacrifice if it means taking out a smaller loan.

As a college student, I didn't have to take out student loans, but I also didn't have any money for anything else. I resorted to carpooling, living with my parents, eating homemade lunches, using the computer lab to type papers, working the 4 a.m. Starbucks shift, and borrowing textbooks from the library. It has been eight years since I graduated, and I don't regret going without because it means I don't have student loan debt. (See also: 8 Money-Saving Hacks Every College Student Should Try)

6. Research on-campus job opportunities

An on-campus job can help you pay for college and give you a few nice perks. For example, many schools offer residential advisers free room and board, as well as discounts on meal plans. Working on-campus means that you are able to squeeze work shifts in between classes, maximizing your time to the fullest.

I worked as a test proctor in college. My job was to sit in the room with nursing students and make sure no one cheated on their test. My advisers actually encouraged me to bring in my own course work and use the time to study while the test was going on. In a sense, I was paid to study, which I had to do anyway.

7. Pick the right student loan for you

Sometimes taking out a student loan to pay for college is unavoidable. If you have the choice, stick with federal to pay for your college degree rather than taking out private student loans. Many federal loans, like Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and the Federal Perkins loan, do not require you to start making loan payments until after graduation.

Also, federal student loan repayment comes with a fixed rate and there are several repayment plans available for those who cannot afford their payments. Private school loans are funded by private lenders, and borrowers do not have the same flexibility that federal borrowers have. (See also: 6 Questions to Ask Before Taking Out Student Loans)

There is no doubt about it; college is expensive. While winning several scholarships to pay for tuition is ideal, it is not a reality for everyone. Instead, wise financial decisions and the right student loan can help you afford your degree.

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Money-Saving Hacks Every College Student Should Try

Ashley Eneriz — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 09:30:24 +0000

Don't let the costs of college loom over your head. Use these seven financial hacks to cruise through college and save thousands off your overall experience.

1. Rent Your Textbook Through Amazon

No need to buy every textbook, especially with Amazon's rental textbook program. My sister rents all of her textbooks through Amazon and saves $50–$100 off each book. For example, she rented Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society (9th Edition) for a recent class for $37.45. The new price of the book is $138.47 and the used price is $67.48. Amazon Prime covered shipping costs.

2. Research Book Costs Before Enrolling

When you first start taking college classes, you will have more flexibility over which classes you can choose, especially when you need to fulfill the GE requirement of your degree. Choose your class based on textbook and material fee cost, if possible. I signed up for a psychology class in my freshman year, but the textbook was written by the teacher and would cost $190. Since there was not a way find the book used, I dropped the class within the acceptable time period and took another class that fulfilled the requirement and had $20–$30 in book costs.

Often you can borrow the textbook from the university library. At my school, the recent edition textbooks were only lent out for in-library use for an hour, but that was usually enough time to finish my work.

3. Piggyback Your Degree With Community College Courses

I graduated debt-free, and one of the major things that helped me do that was the abundance of community college courses I was able to take. My university allowed 70 community college transfer units. With the help of online classes, I was able to enroll in two local community colleges that increased the type of classes that I could transfer to my degree.

I simply looked up agreements between my university and my two local community colleges and took as many classes as possible. One semester, I was enrolled and taking classes at three colleges at once. This also allowed me to take more than 18 units, which allowed me to finish my degree in three years, instead of four. All of this saved me five semesters at my university, which means I saved roughly $20,000.

5. Test Out of Classes

Research the possibility of testing out of some college classes. This can help you avoid boring and costly introduction classes that you already are knowledgeable in. The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is accepted by over 2,900 colleges. The CLEP site allows you to search which colleges allow which test, though you will have to find out the maximum amount of credit your university allows through CLEP. The test costs $80, but military personnel may be eligible to receive funding for the cost of CLEP exams.

6. Check Out Local Thrift Stores

Shop at thrift stores that are near your university for a better chance to find apparel with your college's logo on it, as well as still-relevant textbooks. You can score both inexpensively, and either keep them for yourself, or sell them for more online or to other students via sale fliers on the campus' public bulletin board.

7. Become a Resident Assistant (RA)

Movies usually portray resident assistants as overbearing college students who have been on campus for almost a decade. However, the job can be fun and the free rent is definitely a perk that will save you $8,000 to $12,000 a year. Know that these positions are usually competitive, so make your application stand out, and volunteer for other on-campus events to show you have school spirit.

8. Get on a Family Plan

There are many different family plans that you can share to save money. The most popular family plans are offered through cellphone providers. Being on a family plan rather than on your own individual plan can save you $50–$100 a month off your cellphone bill.

Family plans are not just for cellphones, though. You can save money by sharing TV streaming, Amazon Prime, Uber, and more. (See also: How Family Plans Can Save You Tons)

College is expensive, but that doesn't mean you have to drown in debt to get your degree. Living frugally and minimizing living costs in college will make it easier to once you graduate.

What are your favorite ways to save money while in college? Already a graduate? Share your experience of frugal college living.

This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

What to Do If You Didn't Save for Your Child's College

Ashley Eneriz — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 09:30:30 +0000

They say children grow up fast, but that couldn't be any truer for parents who suddenly find themselves looking at college applications and admission costs.

Perhaps you always meant to save money for your child to go to college, but with all the other bills and expenses, you were never able to. Here are some tips on how to approach college costs now.

Start With the FAFSA

The first place to start is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. Even if you believe that your household income is too high for student aid, you will still need to complete the FAFSA to qualify for federal loans. The FAFSA will give eligible students access to free grant money for college, as well as federal loans. The FAFSA can even connect eligible students to work-study programs for another way to help fund schooling.

The FAFSA must be completed every year, Also, it is best to apply as early as possible, since some colleges award aid on a first come, first serve basis.

Start With Junior or Community College

If your child has their hopes set on a fancy university on the other side of the country, then they will probably not like the idea of attending a local junior or community college first. Still, community colleges are significantly cheaper, and children can further save by living at home. And most general education credits can transfer to your child's university of choice.

A community college will shave up to two years off the expensive price tag of a university. Plus, if your college-bound child is not 100% sure of their career path, a community college can buy them time to figure it out, without paying the full sticker price of a university. A lot of maturing and life-changing events can happen after high school, and your future potential lawyer might decide they would rather teach in underprivileged areas, instead. Changing your major can be a huge money waste when you do it at a costly university.

To be certain of community college credit transferability, visit ASSIST, which shows which credits transfer between California community colleges and California State Universities. Check with your local community colleges if they use a similar website or conversion chart, to make sure your child is taking the right classes. It is also a good idea to talk with your child's top university choices about transferring from a community college to see what they require. (See also: 8 Part-Time Jobs That Offer College Benefits)

Scholarships Are a Viable Option

Scholarships can certainly help reduce the cost of your child's college admission. However, it is best to have a healthy expectation when you first approach your scholarship search. First of all, it is very unlikely that your child will get offered a full ride, unless they have a very unique profile that makes them especially appealing to schools. A school's top soccer player who has excellent grades is obviously more likely to earn scholarship offers than a non-athletic student with average grades.

Look for smaller, local scholarships, which have a less competitive edge. Also, if your child has a part-time job, there might be scholarship options available through that company. (See also: How to Increase Your Child's Odds of Winning a Scholarship)

Just Say No to the Parent PLUS Loan

We know you want the best for your child and would do anything to grant them success, but tying your name to costly student loan debt can put your retirement at risk. This goes mostly for Parent PLUS loans, though it is a good idea not to co-sign loans for anybody, in general.

Trying to pay off a child's student loan debt when you are so close to retirement can derail you financially. Also, PLUS loans are not eligible for any loan forgiveness programs.

Know About Loans and Loan Forgiveness Programs

Before your child signs up for the first loan they are offered, do some research on specific loans and loan forgiveness programs. For example, if your college-aged child wants to pursue teaching, then getting a Perkins Loan can offer the best loan cancellation program. The Federal Teacher Cancellation for Perkins Loans offers 15% loan cancellation after one year of teaching in a low-income area, and teaching five years will qualify for full loan forgiveness.

Know that private loans will also be easier to secure, but these loans do not qualify for loan forgiveness programs or income-based repayment plans after graduation. You might need to get some private loan funding, but make sure to use federal loans first, since these have the most benefits. Before signing up with a private lender, thoroughly investigate their repayment policies and rules on loan deferment (which allows the borrower to momentarily pause payments if they continue their education or serve in the military or Peace Corps).

How are you handling the college costs of your children?

This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

3 Ways Obama's Free Community College Deal Will Help You

Brittany Lyte — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 10:00:15 +0000

President Barack Obama's 2015 State of the Union address proclaimed that community college should be as free and universal in America as high school. If passed by Congress (currently unlikely, given the political polarization in Washington), the plan could make the first two years of community college free, allowing many to obtain free Associate's Degrees, reduce the total cost of a four-year degree, or obtain necessary job skills and training. (See also: 8 Cheap Ways to Continue Your Education Without Going Back to School)

Whether the pursuit of a new degree is in your future or not, here's how a program geared at making it happen could benefit the economy, and by extension, your pocketbook.

1. Economic Growth Would Soar

Putting a college degree in the hands of more Americans would be beneficial for everyone. Here's why.

Right now, there are more jobs requiring college degrees than there are college educated people in the job market. It's no wonder that the value of a college degree is $300,000 — close to an all-time high. But a free two-year community college program could help restore the balance.

Such a job market would also drive economic competitiveness. After all, competition is the backbone of the U.S. economy, and it's vital to a thriving job market. If the U.S. were able to close the educational achievement gaps between white children and minority children with the President's proposed free community college program, the economy would be 5.8% larger by 2050 (nearly $2.3 trillion) according to a study by the Center for American Progress. The cumulative increase in GDP from 2014 to 2050 would amount to $20.4 trillion, or an average of $551 billion per year.

A community college expert, Josh Wyner of The Aspen Institute, told PBS NewsHour, "The fact of the matter is that we're projected within the next decade to need an educated work force… where 60% of Americans have a college degree. And, today, just over 40% have one." He added, "In today's society, in order to have a chance to get into the middle class, in order to fuel economic growth for our country, we need more people with a college credential."

2. The Wealth Gap Would Narrow

In the last decade, the college attendance rate has dropped significantly for students from low and middle-class families. Among the reasons is a steady decrease in state funding for tuition, which has made the price tag of a college degree more expensive than at almost any other time in history. The fallout is that a higher degree has become something enjoyed by the haves and, unfortunately, a luxury out of reach for the have-nots. "We have got a gap between rich and poor that's growing in our country," Wyner said in his PBS NewsHour appearance. "And we still have lots of Americans, low-income Americans, African-American folks in the country, who don't get access to higher education."

But increasing access to community college through the program proposed by the President could help many low-income Americans enter the middle class, equipping them with the ticket they need to be competitive in the workforce. And a stronger middle class would help foster a healthier economy, triggering a ripple effect that could benefit Americans in all socio-economic brackets.

One demographic that would particularly benefit from the President's zero-cost education plan is Hispanics. About half of all Hispanics who attend college are enrolled in a two-year community college, more than any race or ethnicity, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

3. Social Security and Medicare Will Have Brighter Futures

When the Baby Boomers retire, the federal budget will feel the pressure. More retirees means more people drawing from benefit programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. But the President's free community college deal could ease some of this pressure by creating a higher-earning workforce that's better able to financially sustain such programs for the future. As Americans earn more, they'll pay more in taxes and thus provide future budget relief.

A study by the Center for American Progress estimates that closing the racial and ethnic educational achievement gaps would boost Social Security tax contributions by $877 billion by 2050. Similarly, Medicare tax revenues for the Hospital Insurance Fund would increase by $265 billion from 2014 to 2050, providing a substantial lift to Medicare solvency. In other words, the study concludes, strengthening the educational achievement of our youth will help provide economic security for future generations.

Were the President's plan to become law, would you or anyone you know take advantage of it?

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This article is from Brittany Lyte of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Ways to Save on College Tuition

Sarah Winfrey — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:48:34 +0000

It’s the time of year when many people are figuring out how to fund a college education. Whether you’re starting college, returning to school, or looking forward to the next term, paying for college can be intimidating. However, there are some things you can do along the way that will save you money and improve your overall financial outlook through college and beyond. (See also: Degrees of Frugality: 7 Tips for the College Bound)

1. Take College Courses While in High School

Many community colleges will let you take college courses during your last two years of high school. As long as you can pass some basic tests and keep up with your high school work at the same time, this is often a great way to get your basic, prerequisite courses out of the way before you’re even ready to go to college.

Some high schools and community colleges have even worked out ways for you to do this at minimal cost to yourself. If you can take college courses for free (or nearly so), why wouldn’t you?

2. Test Out of Basic Courses

If it’s too late for you to enroll in high school and college concurrently, you can still test out of some of your basic courses. If an AP or IB test is an option for you, you can get your credit that way. Otherwise, you can take a CLEP test in any number of different subjects.

While there are other ways to get out of taking certain courses, taking these tests can actually allow you to get credits toward graduation without taking the courses. For instance, passing the CLEP in biology can earn you six semester units toward graduation at a fraction of the price you’ll pay anywhere.

3. Take More Courses Each Term

When you take more courses each term, you will pay more each semester. However, if you have a plan, and you know what courses you need to take when and how it will all work out, you can actually graduate a semester or two early. That will save you all of the fees and costs that you would have run up in later semesters.

Do make sure you do this with a plan, though. You’ll want to plot out your courses carefully and make sure that the classes you need are offered during the semesters you want to take them. Otherwise, you might end up spending more overall.

4. Plan Ahead and Analyze Your Options

There’s some new evidence that some of the "tried and true" methods for saving money on college (like starting at a community college and then transferring) don’t actually save you money. At the very least, it seems like you need to run the numbers to see if you will save money using these methods.

It’s a good idea to try to calculate your total college costs ahead of time and evaluate how different options will affect your overall financial outcome. This will let you choose your college plan based on what will work best for you and your financial situation.

5. Know Your Loans

Despite your very best planning, you may find yourself taking out student loans. In fact, that can be a smart way to get through school quicker, depending on how much you have to borrow and what your earning potential is upon graduation. However, not all student loans are created equal.

Make sure you understand whether your loans will be subsidized or unsubsidized, and how that might affect repayment in the future. In addition, determine whether your lender puts any special rules on their loans. For instance, some loans are not candidates for consolidation later on, and others only incorporate certain repayment plans.

6. Find a Repayment Plan That Works for You

Speaking of repayment plans, make sure you find the one that is best for you. Some people find that they need to send their loans into forbearance upon graduation, especially if they can’t get hired right away. Even if this isn’t an issue for you, make sure you know your options. For instance, income-based repayment can help many borrowers, but few know that it is an option.

Make sure you have your repayment plan in place well before your loan comes due. Making late payments or missing payments on student loans is a big deal and can hurt your financial outlook for many years into the future.

The most important thing to do to save money on college tuition is to have a plan. Even if you change your plan later on, you’ll be better off for having had it in the first place. And if you’re able to follow through, you’ll not only save money, but you’ll know exactly how much you saved.

How are you keeping college affordable?

This article is from Sarah Winfrey of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: