6 answers
Santiago
Student
Glendale, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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How do I get stated with college finacially ?
I'm a high school student heading to college.
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6 answers
Kimberly Krebs
Corporate Security Manager
80
Answers
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Updated
Kimberly’s Answer
Great question. You will want to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA. Just google that word and it will take you to the application. You will need your parents/guardian help because it will ask income questions (how much they make$) to see how much money you are eligible to get from the federal government to assist with college.
You should also meet with your high school counselor and ask them how to apply for grants, which is money you don't have to pay back.
They can also tell you how to apply for loans, which is money you have to pay back. You will want to get a loan specifically for college so you don't have to pay it until you graduate (and hopefully have a job).
Good luck!
Fill out a FAFSA form
Ask your high school counselor how to apply for grants & loans
You should also meet with your high school counselor and ask them how to apply for grants, which is money you don't have to pay back.
They can also tell you how to apply for loans, which is money you have to pay back. You will want to get a loan specifically for college so you don't have to pay it until you graduate (and hopefully have a job).
Good luck!
Kimberly recommends the following next steps:
ANDI SANDEN
AZ2, US NAVY
47
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
ANDI’s Answer
Military! We get Tuition Assistance while active, wherein the military pays all of our school expenses if we work and go to school congruently, a lot of our service translates into college credits itself, and once we separate from service we are given the GI Bill to offset college costs for ourselves or our families.
Daniel Maynes
Credit Manager
187
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Great Question Santiago!
I would seriously consider going to a community college. Not only does this save you money but gives you more time to think about where you want to end up. Also, basics are basics and it does not make sense to pay for those type of classes at a university. My first year and a half I took basics at a community college and lived at home to save up money.
Also, many states have rules set in place that allow classes from one college to be transferred to another college as long as you stay in state. For example, Texas allowed all my community college classes to be transferred to my university as long as I stayed in state. The beauty about this is its really not up to a college/university it depends on the state education laws. I would encourage you to check your state laws to see if this would be an option for you.
I know its hard not to but do your best not to get stressed out by this decision. Each day is a gift and its not worth wasting time on undue stress/worry.
All the best to you!
I would seriously consider going to a community college. Not only does this save you money but gives you more time to think about where you want to end up. Also, basics are basics and it does not make sense to pay for those type of classes at a university. My first year and a half I took basics at a community college and lived at home to save up money.
Also, many states have rules set in place that allow classes from one college to be transferred to another college as long as you stay in state. For example, Texas allowed all my community college classes to be transferred to my university as long as I stayed in state. The beauty about this is its really not up to a college/university it depends on the state education laws. I would encourage you to check your state laws to see if this would be an option for you.
I know its hard not to but do your best not to get stressed out by this decision. Each day is a gift and its not worth wasting time on undue stress/worry.
All the best to you!
T.J. Worthy
Mentor
202
Answers
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Updated
T.J.’s Answer
Hello Santiago!
I agree with Daniel's suggestion. If you feel nervous about the expensive cost of a four-year-college, you could attend a community college near you!
You can finish your general education courses and transfer to a larger university. Also, community college can give you a chance to brainstorm next steps for making money.
During those two years, think about what you want to do in college in terms of work.
Each school has a set minimum and maximum amount of credits people are allowed to take.
Consider that some students:
I. Work part-time while attending college full-time.
II. Work part-time; college part-time.
III. Work full-time; college part-time
IV. Work full-time and attend college full-time.
Now, there are pros and cons to each approach.
I. You'll likely graduate on time within 4-5 years. You'll also have money to use for school expenses such as textbooks, parking passes, or tuition. You probably won't have enough money to pay off all school costs. However, you will have some money + time to do other things, such as clubs, organizations, volunteer work, and family/friends.
II. You'll need more time to graduate (likely double: 8-9 years). You'll be able to pay off the courses a bit easier and other expenses. However, this route may appear the least favorable, because you're taking so long to get your bachelors degree.
III. In this route, you'll have more time to dedicate towards your job. So, you'll be able to make more money for yourself. Yes, you'll take longer to graduate, but you'll have the advantage of more money saved for college and work experience (along with hopefully a better sense of responsibility/maturity than most students).
IV. The hardest route. You are the most likely to pay off your college expenses and have little debt. However, you are at **high** risk of no free time, burnout, and stress. You need extremely good time-management and dedication to do full-time work + college, or else you'll fail at both.
Ultimately, you need to weigh the costs and benefits of working in college.
There is no right or wrong path to take, since students have different career goals and financial situations.
But there *is* a good answer for you that only you can determine for yourself. See if you can start with community college and give yourself time from there.
Sending you the best as you start college. :)
I agree with Daniel's suggestion. If you feel nervous about the expensive cost of a four-year-college, you could attend a community college near you!
You can finish your general education courses and transfer to a larger university. Also, community college can give you a chance to brainstorm next steps for making money.
During those two years, think about what you want to do in college in terms of work.
Each school has a set minimum and maximum amount of credits people are allowed to take.
Consider that some students:
I. Work part-time while attending college full-time.
II. Work part-time; college part-time.
III. Work full-time; college part-time
IV. Work full-time and attend college full-time.
Now, there are pros and cons to each approach.
I. You'll likely graduate on time within 4-5 years. You'll also have money to use for school expenses such as textbooks, parking passes, or tuition. You probably won't have enough money to pay off all school costs. However, you will have some money + time to do other things, such as clubs, organizations, volunteer work, and family/friends.
II. You'll need more time to graduate (likely double: 8-9 years). You'll be able to pay off the courses a bit easier and other expenses. However, this route may appear the least favorable, because you're taking so long to get your bachelors degree.
III. In this route, you'll have more time to dedicate towards your job. So, you'll be able to make more money for yourself. Yes, you'll take longer to graduate, but you'll have the advantage of more money saved for college and work experience (along with hopefully a better sense of responsibility/maturity than most students).
IV. The hardest route. You are the most likely to pay off your college expenses and have little debt. However, you are at **high** risk of no free time, burnout, and stress. You need extremely good time-management and dedication to do full-time work + college, or else you'll fail at both.
Ultimately, you need to weigh the costs and benefits of working in college.
There is no right or wrong path to take, since students have different career goals and financial situations.
But there *is* a good answer for you that only you can determine for yourself. See if you can start with community college and give yourself time from there.
Sending you the best as you start college. :)
Robert Epstein
General Manager
83
Answers
Naples, Florida
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Also consider the many colleges with a cooperative education (“Co-op”) program. These offer formal plans to go to school mixed with part-time work. They let you try out jobs related to professions you’re interested in, without necessarily applying for full time jobs. I really enjoyed this way to make money while exploring various work environments. Best of luck with your college adventures!
Matthew Lock
Banker
3
Answers
Henniker, New Hampshire
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
You should set up a checking and savings account, if you haven't already, and set up a monthly or weekly transfer into a separate savings account just for college that you don't touch. This is where self-control also comes into play. You have to tell yourself not to touch this money, as you will most likely have access via online to this account.
If you already have a good chunk saved up, a CD is a great way to earn interest as your money sits, and it is typically a little harder to withdraw from CDs as they are "tied up" for a term of your choosing, and in order to break that CD early you are penalized, which stops a lot of people from dipping into those funds early.
If you already have a good chunk saved up, a CD is a great way to earn interest as your money sits, and it is typically a little harder to withdraw from CDs as they are "tied up" for a term of your choosing, and in order to break that CD early you are penalized, which stops a lot of people from dipping into those funds early.