How did you make post-secondary affordable?

Depending on your financial and family situation, the federal Pell Grant and other need-based scholarships from the federal government, state government, and the university may be available. Also, if you volunteer for any community organizations or have other extracurricular involvement, they may have scholarship applications during the year. As was stated in the earlier answers, scholarships are available for a wide range of characteristics, interests, and achievements. A few that applied to me that I pursued were related to being a first-generation college student and an Eagle Scout.

Relating to jobs, I knew a surprising number of individuals at my university who took on flexible, part-time roles teaching English online. Though I never looked into those kinds of opportunities personally, searching for part-time jobs that relate to your field give you an opportunity to use your education right away and provide experience for your future career while making fairly good wages.

Additionally, some universities offer scholarships, free housing, or other assistance for certain involvement or jobs on campus. Roles in your student government, residence hall, or other student organizations could result in increased scholarship and aid opportunities.

However, it is important to consider the cost of going out-of-state. Many state programs require a certain number of years of state residency, and out-of-state tuition for many universities can be extravagant. Be sure to weigh the costs, benefits, and job prospects of the colleges you'd like to attend. If you intend to spend significant amounts or take out loans, ensure you are putting yourself in a position where it can be earned back somewhat quickly once in the workforce.

Hi Tim,

This is a great question! Depending on the route of higher education you want to take, financial support is always available in the forms of grants, loans, and scholarships. As an undergrad, you will more than likely be awarded grants (free money) and/or loans (borrowed money) in your financial aid package. It's up to you if loans are necessary! The bigger the degree, the more likely loans will be incorporated. Scholarships are your time to shine, especially since many awards are specific to field of study or demographics.

Higher education has more flexibility when it comes to scheduling courses, so working during college is another option as well! If you look to build your campus connections, look for jobs on campus, especially in a department or organization that interests you and can build your resume simultaneously. At the same time, off-campus jobs support financially just as well. Keep in mind, off-campus positions may have less flexibility in scheduling with your course load.

As I mentioned before, all of this is dependent on the route of higher education you desire to take. Community colleges tend to be cheaper than university and still offer the opportunity to transfer to a four-year campus, which saves you thousands of dollars each academic year. In the planning process of transferring to university, you can also receive an Associate's degree from a community college in that time. Consider all your options, especially if you can save money along the way!

There are tons of needs-based and merit-based scholarships and grants available. There are even scholarships for specific ethnic groups, people with certain last names, etc. The key is to start searching online. Start with your school’s counseling office as soon as possible. Your school might even have local scholarships that are funded by local community groups that want to support specific groups in your school such as those who want to go into the STEM field or want to work in education. Of course there is always just financial aid. Again, the key is to apply early. The FAFSA has a lot of questions so you’ll want to talk to your family and gather all your financial information so you can submit the application quickly. You can find more information at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa

The first thing to do is find as many scholarship opportunities as possible. Search online for anything you can see, and apply, apply, apply. You can also get a job while you are in school and save the money you make in order to make it more affordable after school.