10 Ways to Save Money for College?

Are you planning to go to college, but wondering how to pay for it? For most students, juggling the cost of higher education is a multi-step process--but it can certainly be done. Try these tips.

*Every time you earn any money, set aside a certain amount of money--5 percent? 10 percent? Commit to growing your college savings account, make it a habit, and don’t dip into it for other expenses.

*Work a part-time job in high school.

*Work a summer job in high school.

*Clarify how much you actually need to pay. What’s the tuition cost where you’re planning to attend? How much do books cost? Buying used rather than new books will save you money. Housing and food costs can be even more flexible: get an estimate of dorm room and meal plan costs, and then assume you can save money on that amount using off-campus housing, or buying and preparing your own food.

*Start early in qualifying for financial aid. Contact the financial aid office at your target institution; deadlines do apply. Financial aid option A? Grants (which are family income-based and don’t need to be paid back). Option B? Student loans (either federal or bank-based--which need to be paid back gradually once you finish school). Option C? The Work Study program, as administered on campus. Many financial aid packages are a conglomerate of these three types of aid.

*Scholarships are available--apply! Ask at your guidance counselor’s office, at the college financial aid office, or research online with a free scholarship database.

*Check into the Upromise rewards program as a possibility.

*Take AP/community college courses. If you can earn college credits at a cheaper rate, and still have them transfer to count toward your major, why not? That’s less time you might be spending at an institution that has a higher dollar cost per credit. Just talk to an academic advisor at your target institution to confirm that those credits will indeed be able to fully transfer.

*Work a part-time job in college (check the on-campus job boards for leads).

*Work a summer job in college (apply for paid internships in your major).

Make your dream a reality--one step at a time.