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Financing college education can be a pricey affair. A few years of college can cost up hundreds and thousands of dollars, and if you're unaware of the financial options available to you, you can spiral into debt rather easily. Below are some ways you can pay for college tuition, which can help you save money and avoid sliding into debt. How to Pay for College Tuition Scholarships and grants: Colleges offer scholarships to students depending on their major, their background, and the high school they come from. Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and submit it to the college well within the deadline. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of receiving financial aid. Contact the financial aid office of your college and find out all about scholarships and grants that are available for eligible students. Find out the deadline for applying for a scholarship, and apply as early as you can. For instance, a CollegeAmerica review indicates that the college assists eligible students in applying for various financial aid programs. Student loans: The U.S. Department of Education helps students by offering financial aid in the form of student loans. You should know that, unlike scholarships and grants, loans need to be repaid. Depending upon your income and need, you may qualify for a subsidized loan. In most cases, loan repayment starts once you graduate. Check with the colleges you have shortlisted aboutthe various options available, and understand all the details about repayment carefully before you apply for a loan. Invest in a 529 plan: Parents should think ahead and invest in a 529 plan for their kids. A 529 investment will give you tax benefits. The money invested in a 529 plan can be used for higher education, and for buying textbooks, supplies, paying tuition, and other qualified costs related to college education. Work-study programs: This is an option chosen by a number of students. It's not a bad idea to have a part-time job while you're at college. Many private companies offer flexible work schedules to employees who are otherwise full-time college students. It can be a bit demanding initially and even eat into your social life, but it'll definitely pay off in the long run, when you realize learning and earning at the same time is very advantageous. Community college: Consider this option carefully. Community college tuition is much lower than a university or a college. Complete your two years at a community college, and then transfer your credits to the college/university of your choice. As community colleges cater to the surrounding towns, you need not move into a dorm, but instead can stay at home. Saving on room/dorm charges and tuition in a university for two years can add up. Apart from that, you have the option of joining the workforce after completing your two years of community college, getting a feel of the job market and gaining real-world experience, and then going back to school to get your bachelor’s degree. Now not only do you have work experience, but this puts you in a financially better position to pay for your bachelor’s program. Military assistance: If you serve in the military, you get financial incentive to pursue a college education. Take the example of CollegeAmerica again. CollegeAmerica reviews indicate that the college offers financial assistance to defense personnel. You can look for more information regarding this on the Internet. Look for the right ways to finance your education—statistics show that people who have degrees earn much higher wages than those with just a high school diploma. Even though a college degree can be very expensive, it still remains an important investment tomake for a better future.
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