Besides choosing the right college and major, finances are usually at the top of preoccupations for new students. And for a reason: tuition costs have been steadily on the rise in the last few years and many students are considering downgrading the college they decide to enroll in, or drop post graduate studies all together. But there are some simple ways anybody can cut down on college costs. Here are a few of them.
Consider Enrolling in an Online College
There was a time when online degrees were scoffed at by most prestigious organizations. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth today. Many reputed institutions are offering great online degrees that are accepted almost everywhere. And it isn’t limited to a few programs, either. These days, you can get a nursing, finance or even an online civil engineering degree. Modern civil engineering online degrees give you all the tools to perform at the highest level and enough lab time to give you all the hands-on experience you need.
Online classes not only allow you to save on tuition in many cases, but you also won’t have to deal with all the costs associated with on-campus learning, such as lodging, transportation and study materials, since most of them will be dispensed online.
Consider Staying within your State
Going to an out of state college can be really expensive. As a matter of fact, in 2011-2012, students who studied out of state had to pay on average over $10,000 more per year on tuition. In addition, those who decide to study within their states are eligible to regional tuition breaks, which can significantly cut costs.
Think about Community College
Community colleges have been getting a bad rap lately, but there are many great advantages to going to a community college that should not be overlooked. First of all, going to a community college will cut you thousands in tuition, with many community colleges charging only $1,000 tuition fees for in-state students. Also, those who decide to enroll in a community college are still eligible for financial aid, which could further cut costs. While a community college degree won’t always be as respected as an Ivy League degree, many community colleges have great reputations in certain fields.
Consider Scholarships
Scholarships are a great way to reduce your tuition costs, and they aren’t limited to sports stars or academic geniuses, either. Pretty much anybody can get a scholarship if they know where to look. Also, when looking for scholarships, don’t overlook local options. Many local businesses and organizations have scholarship programs to increase their visibility within the community. The advantage of local scholarships is that you’ll have less people competing for them, which will significantly improve your chances of getting one.
If you follow the tips in this article, you should be able to significantly cut your college and tuition costs. Consider local scholarship options, don’t overlook online classes and consider community college if you have to. Also remember to stay within your state as much as possible if you want to take advantage of regional tuition breaks and advantages reserved to in-state students.