With college debt easily exceeding six figures at some schools, going to college can be a tough decision, especially if it doesn’t guarantee a great paying job after college.  After all, we have all heard the horror stories about a student who received their Bachelors in History to only find themselves working at Starbucks upon graduation.

While going to an accredited college is always a great investment in the future, you want to make sure that you’re saving money at the same time.  With that being said, here are 6 cost saving tips to help you potentially save hundreds, if not thousands over the course of your college career.

#1 Take AP classes

The first thing to remember is to take AP (advanced placement) classes in high school. These classes will enable you to take advantage and receive college credit toward your degree field.   If you’re already out of high school, this won’t help; however, if you’re a sophomore or student currently enrolled in high school, take advantage of as many AP classes as you can!

#2 Research your credits

Next, use your online resources as some people know about college transfer credit, however, some colleges will let you use real world knowledge and experience toward college credit. In addition, using the online courses, and other internet related tools for courses can also help reduce potential overhead for your course(s).

#3 Always avoid new

Some other ways to reduce costs toward your tuition bill would be to avoid “new” college textbooks and other materials. Consider using websites such as BigWords.com to find the cheapest textbook on the Internet.  Sometimes, it may be best to rent instead of outright purchasing a $300 book.  Remember that you can always sell your book back when the course is completed.

#4 Pick the right school

Picking out the right college is essential. In most states, you should be able to complete your first two years at a community college and then be able to transfer to a local state university.  By going this route, you can easily save $20,000 to $30,000.  The best thing?  You will have the same state university degree as everyone else that attended that same school.  Also, be sure to research the universities after your community college is over with because there will be a large difference in tuition.  While some colleges are reputable and may be worth it, you may find out that you don’t need to spend $80,000 when $25,000 at the other one will land you the same job.

#5 Find all the money available 

From grants, loans, and scholarships, there are many options that can help pay for your schooling, regardless of your age. Grants are available to those who meet certain financial guidelines, while scholarships are generally available to those who apply for one.   With millions of scholarships available at a given time, there’s bound to be a handful out there that you can qualify for.  Start at Fastweb.com to find one that you qualify for.

#6  What do you need?

Next, understand what you want out of school. Do you need a Bachelor’s Degree for your chosen career path or will an Associate’s Degree be sufficient?  Generally, an Associates Degrees can be accomplished in half the time at a fraction of the cost. If you determine that you do wish to proceed after the Bachelor’s Degree, follow tip #4 mentioned above.  Don’t start college until you know what you want to do.  All colleges will have career guidance offices, along with personality tests to help figure out which career will work best for you.

Stephanie Lynch is a freelance writer who resides in Gilbert, Arizona.  She recently graduated with her Social Work degree and enjoys spending time outdoors and with her family.

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Email:  General Information   |   Prof. David C. Pecoraro

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Daniel & David

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      College Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive: 6 Ways to Cut Costs