3 answers
Alex
Student
Vernon, VT
1
Question
Asked
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How can I pay for college with no financial aid ?
I’m a high school senior wanting to attend college and play on their D3 baseball team (so no athletic scholarships).
What can I do if I didn’t receive any financial aid and my parents can’t afford the loan I would need? I also have one sibling that will be going to college the year after me, and another sibling, but a few years younger. I’m applying to scholarships but it feels like such a shot in the dark.
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3 answers
Jazhel Honrado
Academic Svcs Administrator
52
Answers
Updated
Jazhel’s Answer
Hi Alex,
I'm glad you're considering the cost of a college education. I didn’t receive financial aid and didn’t want the burden of debt, so I worked part-time and attended school part-time. I also went to a community college and was eligible for in-state tuition, which made it more affordable. It was extremely difficult since a large portion of my earnings went toward tuition, but it made me more conscious of my spending. I opted for a payment plan, which divided the payments throughout the semester and made things a bit more manageable.
I continued with this plan when I transferred to a university. Having an associate degree made a difference, as it made me eligible for more positions with higher pay. You may also want to consider working for a college or university—many institutions offer tuition assistance to employees who attend their programs.
Overall, it took me longer to complete my bachelor's degree, but I earned it debt-free, and it was absolutely worth it.
I hope you enjoy college and wish you all the best!
I'm glad you're considering the cost of a college education. I didn’t receive financial aid and didn’t want the burden of debt, so I worked part-time and attended school part-time. I also went to a community college and was eligible for in-state tuition, which made it more affordable. It was extremely difficult since a large portion of my earnings went toward tuition, but it made me more conscious of my spending. I opted for a payment plan, which divided the payments throughout the semester and made things a bit more manageable.
I continued with this plan when I transferred to a university. Having an associate degree made a difference, as it made me eligible for more positions with higher pay. You may also want to consider working for a college or university—many institutions offer tuition assistance to employees who attend their programs.
Overall, it took me longer to complete my bachelor's degree, but I earned it debt-free, and it was absolutely worth it.
I hope you enjoy college and wish you all the best!
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
1060
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Alex:
I am a big advocate of what are called Athletic Resume's and Cover Letters, because sometimes, we may not be recruited or noticed by coaches or recruited by the athletic staff of a college or university. So, we need to go to them and advocate for our skills, abilities and inquire about athletic programs and financial aid opportunities at the Division 3 (D3) schools.
The athletes at these institutions receive financial aid through need-based grants, merit-based scholarships (for academics and other achievements), and federal aid like Pell Grants, but not through athletic scholarships funded by the school.
To maximize their financial aid, student-athletes should apply for aid using forms like the FAFSA, focus on strong academics and extracurriculars to qualify for merit aid, and research each D3 institution's specific financial policies and find the most advantageous and generous financial aid packages. I worked with several athletes, who were interested in attending Division III schools, and the coaches and athletic staff were very helpful in coming up with the solutions to this issue, and assisted the athletes in finding the financial aid that they qualified for.
To help assist the staff (and yourself), I would create something called an Athletic Resume and Cover Letter, to send to the coaches of the colleges and universities you are interested in attending.
It is exactly what it sounds like, and is much like a Job Resume and Cover Letter. Except with a Job Resume and Cover Letter, you will be trying out for a job, but with the Athletic Resume and Cover Letter, you will be applying and trying out for the college sports team.
There are many examples of these Athletic Resume's and Cover Letters found online. Basically you will be emphasizing to the coach all about your athletic abilities, strengths, positions you played, school and state accomplishments and successes, athletic awards, future goals, and your future academic plans. Introduce the resume, and yourself, to the coach by utilizing the cover letter.
When you complete the Resume and Cover Letter, send it to the various coaches, via postal service letter, directly to their office on the college campus. You see they literally receive thousands of emails each week, but if you contact them via a written letter, it will land directly on their desk, and they are most likely going to respond and send you information on their program and about athletics and academic possibilities on their campus.
College coaches do seem to enjoy getting a personal letter in the regular mail, than getting an email. It shows you are serious and are willing to make an effort in continuing your athletic career. I hope this has been helpful, Good luck in achieving your future athletic and academic goals.
I am a big advocate of what are called Athletic Resume's and Cover Letters, because sometimes, we may not be recruited or noticed by coaches or recruited by the athletic staff of a college or university. So, we need to go to them and advocate for our skills, abilities and inquire about athletic programs and financial aid opportunities at the Division 3 (D3) schools.
The athletes at these institutions receive financial aid through need-based grants, merit-based scholarships (for academics and other achievements), and federal aid like Pell Grants, but not through athletic scholarships funded by the school.
To maximize their financial aid, student-athletes should apply for aid using forms like the FAFSA, focus on strong academics and extracurriculars to qualify for merit aid, and research each D3 institution's specific financial policies and find the most advantageous and generous financial aid packages. I worked with several athletes, who were interested in attending Division III schools, and the coaches and athletic staff were very helpful in coming up with the solutions to this issue, and assisted the athletes in finding the financial aid that they qualified for.
To help assist the staff (and yourself), I would create something called an Athletic Resume and Cover Letter, to send to the coaches of the colleges and universities you are interested in attending.
It is exactly what it sounds like, and is much like a Job Resume and Cover Letter. Except with a Job Resume and Cover Letter, you will be trying out for a job, but with the Athletic Resume and Cover Letter, you will be applying and trying out for the college sports team.
There are many examples of these Athletic Resume's and Cover Letters found online. Basically you will be emphasizing to the coach all about your athletic abilities, strengths, positions you played, school and state accomplishments and successes, athletic awards, future goals, and your future academic plans. Introduce the resume, and yourself, to the coach by utilizing the cover letter.
When you complete the Resume and Cover Letter, send it to the various coaches, via postal service letter, directly to their office on the college campus. You see they literally receive thousands of emails each week, but if you contact them via a written letter, it will land directly on their desk, and they are most likely going to respond and send you information on their program and about athletics and academic possibilities on their campus.
College coaches do seem to enjoy getting a personal letter in the regular mail, than getting an email. It shows you are serious and are willing to make an effort in continuing your athletic career. I hope this has been helpful, Good luck in achieving your future athletic and academic goals.
Tiffanie Rand (Lampasona), CDR, CIR
Recruiter
102
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Tiffanie’s Answer
Hi Alex,
What a great question, and such an important one.
I have 5 siblings and I did not receive any scholarships for college, I got loans and I deferred them while I was taking classes. By deferring my loans, that meant I didn't have to pay them until I finished school - HOWEVER, they did incur interest during that time so please be mindful of that.
My advice in the worst case senario would be that you get a student loan at a super low interest rate and defer it, pay what you can while you're in school or nothing and then we you get out of school find a job and call the loan company and let them know your monthly salary - they'll work with you on a payment plan because the reality is that once you have your degree they can't take it away, even if you never pay for your student loan. I'm not recommending that you don't pay I'm just saying that they'll work with you.
Once I finished my bachelor's degree I went back to school part-time while I worked so I could continue deferring my loans but I was making payments at this time, I was able to pay whatever I wanted/was able to pay while they were deferred.
I would definitely reach out to your local Rotary and Ruritan, those places always give scholarships that aren't advertised online.
What a great question, and such an important one.
I have 5 siblings and I did not receive any scholarships for college, I got loans and I deferred them while I was taking classes. By deferring my loans, that meant I didn't have to pay them until I finished school - HOWEVER, they did incur interest during that time so please be mindful of that.
My advice in the worst case senario would be that you get a student loan at a super low interest rate and defer it, pay what you can while you're in school or nothing and then we you get out of school find a job and call the loan company and let them know your monthly salary - they'll work with you on a payment plan because the reality is that once you have your degree they can't take it away, even if you never pay for your student loan. I'm not recommending that you don't pay I'm just saying that they'll work with you.
Once I finished my bachelor's degree I went back to school part-time while I worked so I could continue deferring my loans but I was making payments at this time, I was able to pay whatever I wanted/was able to pay while they were deferred.
I would definitely reach out to your local Rotary and Ruritan, those places always give scholarships that aren't advertised online.