Here are a few tips on how to afford higher education:
1. Don’t Quit Your Day Job
Online education is becoming more common and more affordable. Many students today are able to keep their full-time jobs. There are thousands of online programs that cater to non-traditional students and those that need to study remotely. It may take a little while longer, but going to school part time while working is a great way to keep the cost of going to school to a minimum.
It may even be an option to have your employer pay for your school. Depending on your field you employer may see it in their best interest to keep you and pay for school. Ask around your HR department to see if this option exists at your company or if they would be open to the idea.
2. Apply for Scholarships
Many scholarships are available to a wide variety of people. You don’t have to be a genius to get them. Do an online search for scholarships. Use your intended course of study in the search terms to help you narrow your options. You can also search for scholarships that are specifically given to people with your life experience. Some scholarships are specifically given to minorities, women or individuals from a specific geographical region.
3. Apply for Grants
Like scholarships, grants are funds you don’t have to pay back later. You can do online searches for grants as well. These are similar to scholarships in many ways, but most grants are given without specific academic requirements attached. Government grants such as Pell Grants can be acquired when you fill out financial aid forms with FASFA, but there are many more grants available that you will need to apply for separately.
4. Get Student Loans
If you can get money for school that you don’t have to pay back, that is best, but student loans can help you pay for school and other educational expenses also. Student loans are guaranteed by the government, and students can use them to borrow money for school and educational expenses. The interest is relatively low, and you may qualify for tax deductions once you begin to pay those loans off.
5. Apply to Lots of Schools
The more programs you get into, the more leverage you will have for bargaining to get good rates, grants and scholarships. Different programs and different schools offer different financial aid packages. When you get accepted into multiple programs, you can use the information from one organization as leverage to get a better financial aid package at the school you really want to attend.
Although higher education is expensive, it can be affordable. Do your research and learn about financial aid options that are available. When people don’t use grant money and other financial aid, it often goes to waste. Don’t let a tight budget keep you from achieving your dreams.
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