Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Getting the Financial Support You Need
• Part 2 of 4: Finding a cheaper alternative
• Part 3 of 4: Coverage
• Part 4 of 4: Getting a Scholarship
• Tips
• Warnings

If we look at the concept of college in terms of taking courses or obtaining a diploma, then it is worth mentioning ways to reduce costs or get rid of the financial burden that is usually associated with the process of obtaining an education. With the right approach, you will be able to enroll in the college you want without serious financial costs. So, if you live in the US and want to go to college with a minimum of spending, then read on!

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Getting the Financial Support You Need

1. 1 Assess your financial needs. If you think your family will not be able to pay for college tuition, it is possible that some colleges will agree to do so. Financial Assistance is a calculation of the data that is contained in the FAFSA (Federal Financial Assistance Ordinance). This includes your household income (that is, your parents 'earnings adjusted for single-parent families), the number of children, especially those aged for college, your parents' contributions or assets. These factors are taken into account to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is how much your family can afford to pay for college.
   • Use a calculator such as FAFSA4caster. It can be found on the FAFSA website and the contribution rate can be calculated.
2. 2 Fill out the form on the website FAFSA. This is a federal student aid application and is a form of standard financial aid for colleges and universities in the United States. Fill out this form and send it to each educational institution on time. Make sure all information is correct and attach any additional documents or evidence.
   • This does not mean that you have chosen this particular college and agree with everything. You just show interest and find out the cost of training. This is a fairly standard procedure.
3. 3 Submit tax and other documentation. Each institution has its own application review process, so check what documents are needed to review your application and when they need to be submitted at each specific college.
   • Most educational institutions require copies of tax accounting documents, but they may ask for other papers as well. Double check the requirements for each college.And if you have any questions about applying, please contact the Financial Assistance Officers.
   • The process for considering applications for financial assistance may be different for transferred or international students. Make sure you follow a procedure that is appropriate for your education and background.
4. 4 Consider all the proposals and make a choice. If you have been accepted into multiple colleges, chances are they sent you different offers of financial support. You should not immediately rush to large sums. Better compare their offers with the cost of training. Many schools are willing to match their competitors' offerings, so talk with college staff to see if you can get a better deal.
   • Consider different types of financial assistance. Loans are useful, but at the time of graduation you can lend yourself head over heels in debt. The Study and Work program will help pay for tuition, but it will detract from the study itself. Decide which type of financial assistance is right for you, or choose several to minimize the risks.
5. 5 During your studies, keep your right to the scholarship. Submit updated FAFSA filings and tax forms annually. Make sure the college financial aid department is aware of changes in your financial situation and be careful with deadlines.
   • The institution may even offer you more money if you get good grades and show your potential. Sometimes there are so-called “leftovers” from scholarships that you can get hold of if you demonstrate good academic performance.

Part 2 of 4: Finding a cheaper alternative

1. 1 Community colleges. For many, going to "college" is associated with going to a public or private university. In fact, there are many more options, like community college. It is worth noting that the cost of studying at a community college is several times cheaper. Choose a local college to save money on your move.
   • Moreover, most, if not all, of your ratings will carry over. You can save money and go to community college for one to two years and then go to a public or private university. If your grades are very high, you may even be able to apply for a scholarship.
2. 2 Vocational schools. Nowadays, having a bachelor's degree in a particular field is no longer of great importance. Many college graduates go to catering (Free Cash!). You don't need to go to a good university to get an education and make good money; vocational schools are also suitable for this.
   • 50% of college graduates are fully or partially unemployed. Meanwhile, salespeople with the right skills are in huge demand. A survey was conducted among employers, and 40% of them claimed that they lacked employees. Going to a trade or vocational school can be a much better choice.
3. 3 Consider distance learning. You don't have to devote all your time and money to face-to-face training. Choose just a few activities that you can afford and devote the rest of the time to work. Each institution provides a different degree of distance learning. You can attend part of the classes or choose only one. You decide.
   • Learn about classes taught by part-time teachers. Part-time teachers are paid less and therefore also cost less to attend.
4. 4 Online training. While most online schools are ridiculous, there are some pretty serious ones as well. They cost less, and will also save on moving. Moreover, you can attend classes at any time, so you can easily combine them with work.After such training, you may well move on to full-time study in a regular college, since most of the grades can be transferred.
   • If in the future you want to transfer, then carefully read the terms of the agreement. Make sure the college is an accredited and reputable online institution before you assume you can transfer your grades. Also inquire about the college you want to transfer to, especially if your subject grades can be transferred.
5. 5 Learn all about MOOCs. MOOC, a massively open online course, is gaining popularity in technology and education. Some can be enrolled in tests and a certificate, but not all. This is a course that was recorded on video or audio at the university and posted online. It's like visiting a whole bunch of different online universities!
   • For example, take a look at Harvard or MIT websites. You can browse through their courses and launch the one that interests you.
   • There are also sites like Coursera that partner with dozens of educational institutions to provide a varied and consistent curriculum. You can attend these courses for free. Getting a certificate at the end of the course is not guaranteed.
6. 6 Joint Education Program. With this learning method, you spend one semester full-time and the second full-time. This program is not based on financial assistance and is offered only in some institutions. If such a program is offered at a college you are interested in, you should try it. Students who choose this path of study earn on average up to $ 7,000 / 490,000 rubles per academic year (the amount in rubles is conditional, it all depends on the dollar exchange rate).
   • This program will also allow you to gain experience in your chosen field. You earn money and write your resume at the same time. Moreover, in many colleges, work experience counts towards credits. Therefore, if your job coincides with your studies, you can graduate much earlier.
7. 7 Auditory lessons. Find local universities or community colleges and see their policies regarding auditor attendance. Some institutions allow anyone to attend classroom classes, while other institutions allow only full-time students. Find a school that allows you to attend classroom sessions. You will need to consult with the secretary or other school officials on this matter.
   • Ask your instructor for permission to attend the class. Email him before meeting him face-to-face and explain your interest, motives and educational level. Explain why you want to attend class and ask permission politely. If you are refused, respect this decision and do not take it personally. Some teachers take care of the involvement of each student in the process of learning the subject, and the presence of other people in the classroom can distract them.
   • Make the most of your lectures. Treat them as if you are trying to get a grade for them. Attend every class and do all your homework, even if you don’t check it. Comprehend the material and, if possible, discuss it with your teacher after class. This will help you study the material and benefit from your college education.

Part 3 of 4: Coverage

1. 1 Live at home. Living at home, you can easily save hundreds of thousands of rubles. Also, don't forget about the money you save on food. Living in dorms costs a lot of money, can lead to poor grades, and also throws you into new environments that sometimes lead to students dropping out. Living at home will reduce the strain on your budget.
   • Keep in mind that it also prolongs your dependence on your family.Homemade food, family picnics and a nice home we can live in for free? Yes, yes and yes again.
2. 2 Buy used textbooks online. The cost of textbooks is simply becoming unrealistic. 28,000 rubles for a pack of paper with ink? No, thanks. You should not take new textbooks from bookstores, it is better to buy supported ones on the Internet. They are much cheaper and are in no way inferior to new ones.
   • Now textbooks can even be rented. A quick search on the Internet will take you to dozens of sites where you can find everything you need for a very low price. These books will no longer be useful to you.
3. 3 Apply for a grant or loan. In addition to scholarships and necessary financial assistance, you can also apply for grants or loans. Here's what you need to know:
   • You do not need to return money for grants. They are issued for training, research and other needs. You may be familiar with the Pell Grant, which is a federal scholarship. It will be listed on your FAFSA. You can also apply for other private grants.
   • Loans will have to be repaid. If you qualify, your school will include this recommendation on the FAFSA. You can also take out a private loan if needed, and your parents can take out a Parental Plus Loan if they wish.
4. 4 CLEP and PEP programs. Review your institution's policies for the Advanced Placement Program (APP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), and Provenience Examination Program (PEP).
   • Each educational institution has its own policy regarding these programs. Talk to your supervisor about your prospects. How will this help you? The fact that you can finish your studies a semester earlier, which will save you hundreds of thousands of rubles.
5. 5 Learn and work program. Once you become a student, you will be able to apply for the Learn and Work program, where some students are offered jobs at the university. If you qualify for this program, you will be notified. You will then be sent a link where you can view all vacancies and apply. Quite often, the competition here is much less than among vacancies outside the university.
   • Very often, these are small side jobs, where your student status is taken into account. They will happily adjust to your schedule and help you in any way they can. If you are lucky, you may be able to find a job during which you can even study.
6. 6 Consider joining the army. You will have to take the ASVAB test, a unified set of general development and training requirements for those entering the military. This test is taken before being enrolled in the troops. Most often, high school students pass it, but in general anyone can take it. Different types of troops require different test results. Generally, holders of a GED (Diploma Equivalent to High School Diploma) are required to have a higher score than holders of school certificates. Then you can contact a recruiter and enlist in the army.
   • Why is this appropriate here? Soldiers are eligible for approximately $ 4,500 in financial tuition assistance during their service, and military universities and online universities offer online training programs tailored to the service schedule. What's more, after graduation, you can go to college for free. Under the current Armed Forces Rights Act, 100% of the tuition fees for a public college and $ 19,198 for a private college are covered by the government.

Part 4 of 4: Getting a Scholarship

1. 1 Apply for a scholarship. Colleges usually offer grants or part-time scholarships. Look for programs or scholarships elsewhere to help with the remaining amount. This will help you cover the remaining tuition fees.Apply for all scholarships to reduce your tuition costs.
   • When you are admitted to college, you will need to maintain the academic performance required for the scholarship. Most grants and scholarships require a certain GPA or, in other words, good academic performance. Keep working hard and get grades high enough to maintain your scholarship.
2. 2 Get an athletic scholarship. Athletic scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded only to the best athletes in a region or state. If you are not the best player on your team, it will be difficult enough for you to get an athletic scholarship. Train and work hard to be successful in your sport. Contact coaches at the colleges you want to attend.
   • The best sports colleges may not pay attention to the GPA, but if they choose between you and the student with better grades, they will most likely prefer the latter, which is why you should not forget about your studies. If you prepare the ground ahead of time, the coach will see you as an athlete. And when you come to him, he will already know that you are interested in entering this college, and he will take you much more willingly.
   • While an athletic scholarship will help you get the best education for free, there is a price to pay. You will have to spend more than 20 hours a week playing sports, which can take you away from your studies. These scholarships are awarded every year. You can be deprived of it if the coach decides that you are not needed by the team and do not deserve funding.
   • Consider going to lower division colleges. Even if you dream of playing for a Division I school, getting an athletic scholarship from them is much more difficult.
3. 3 ROTC scholarship (non-military training of reserve officers). The ROTC provides scholarships for those wishing to join the army. In most non-military reserve officer training programs, you will need to serve for 4 years, and after that stay for another 4 years in the first-line volunteer reserve, from where you can be called up again. In certain cases, this commitment may be longer or shorter. For example, pilots are usually called up for 10 years. The ROTC program operates in over 1000 colleges and universities across the country. Select an educational institution, apply and wait for an invitation. If necessary, please clarify that you are participating in the ROTC program. After that, you can apply for a scholarship.
   • Make sure you meet the basic requirements for the scholarship. For high school graduates, you must be a US citizen between the ages of 17 and 26, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, a high school diploma or GED, at least 920 SAT (Academic Aptitude Exam) or 19 ACT (does not include writing) and compliance with certain physical data.
   • In order to maintain your scholarship, you must adhere to certain physical and academic standards throughout your studies. You must be in good physical shape and your GPA must meet the minimum requirements (from 2.50 to 3 depending on the type of troops). The scholarship may be taken away if you do not meet these requirements, so keep an eye on your position in this program.
   • Do your duty after college. The ROTC program gave you free education, so fulfill your commitment to the military.
4. 4 Apply for other unique scholarships. Do you have an unusual hobby? Or are you from a minority group or have a military background? Are you a first generation college student? What talents and interests do you have? Write down whatever comes to your mind and mark what might help you get the scholarship.There are many scholarships that you can qualify for.
   • Use reputable sites like CollegeScholarships.org, FastWeb, or Scholarships.com to find information on available scholarships. Find everything related to such scholarships and see which one you can apply for, or consider ones that match your background and interests.
   • If necessary, collect portfolios, videos, and other materials that showcase your skills. Demonstration of quality work is required to qualify for an arts scholarship. For the field of literature, painting and photography, you need to build a portfolio where you will demonstrate the quality and variety of your work. To showcase dance, music, and other talents, make audio or video recordings of your performances. You don't have to be very scrupulous about this, but a portfolio should maximize your talent.

Tips

• If you still have to pay for some part of your education, you can look for other sources for financial support, for example, federal grants and loans, part-time jobs for students, various types of scholarships, simple savings (cook your own food, live with your parents or off-site campus for a couple with a roommate). If you are a creative person, you can always find a way out. All you need is time and concentration, and you will definitely find a way out.
• Take your time to apply until you understand how the admissions office works and what is the procedure for obtaining financial assistance.
• If you want to study fine arts then attend Portfolio Day not only the year you apply to college, but the previous year as well. When you first appear at an event, you do not have to bring your work with you (if you want, bring it). Most importantly, it will allow you to ask questions to representatives of colleges and find those institutions that interest you. It will also provide a great opportunity to understand how to become the perfect candidate.

Warnings

• If you have become one of those who are applying for a full scholarship, then do not relax. Just because you don't pay tuition doesn't mean you don't have to work hard or you might behave inappropriately. Remember that you may be deprived of financial support at any time.
• There is a lot of competition for scholarships, so be smart about your chances before you give your full and complete commitment to preparing for a specific college or scholarship.