How to Avoid Crippling Student Loans

How to Avoid Crippling Student Loans

A college education has always been considered as one of the most important ingredients for achieving success. Unfortunately, earning a diploma today is becoming more difficult. The cost of higher education has risen to astronomical heights that most families simply do not have the means to afford college altogether. Meanwhile, student debt can run into tens of thousands. According to the latest figures, the average student owes $35,000, which is a dire prospect that dissuades many from enrolling in college. Being elbow deep in debt, however, doesn’t have to be the price of earning a degree. In this post, we look at some of the ways to avoid crippling student loans.

1. Apply for Scholarships. Getting a scholarship is one of the most viable ways to avoid taking out costly loans. There are different types of scholarships. For instance, a merit-based scholarship is granted to students who exhibit excellent academic performance. On the other hand, an athletic scholarship is provided to students who excel in certain sports and play for their school’s athletic organizations. Merit-based and athletic scholarships are just two of many different types of scholarships. When applying for a scholarship, it is important for you to know the options available and the qualifications that you have. It also helps if you maintain good grades and an overall solid academic performance. You can start looking for scholarships by consulting your school counsellors. Some colleges also have designated offices that specifically handle such concerns.
2. Apply for Financial Aid. Applying for financial aid is another way to lower costs and avoid taking out student loans. There are various programs that offer financial aid. For instance, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA provides students who qualify with financial aid. In fact, FAFSA can be filed every year. Similarly. The Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant or FSEOG is designed to aid students who face pressing financial need.
3. Attend Community College First. A lot of students get caught up with the idea of entering their dream colleges that they often overlook community colleges. Attending a community college is in fact one of the best ways to avoid being in debt. Community colleges tend to be far more affordable. By attending a community college, you can take general education courses that can later be transferred to four-year colleges and universities. Spending a year or two in a community college, for instance, can dramatically lower your costs. This gives you the chance to earn your diploma at your dream school without incurring the full cost.
4. Attend a State College/University. Many students think that only private schools are capable of providing high-quality education. This notion cannot be further from the truth. In reality, there are so many public educational institutions across the country that offer excellent education at a fraction of the cost. For instance, a number of institutions have been dubbed as Public Ivies, since the quality of education they offer are on a par with that of the Ivy League.
5. Get a Part-Time Job. Getting a part-time job is another way to offset some of the cost of a college education. Assuming that your schedule gives you some free time, you can use this to take up a part-time job. Though part-time jobs do not really pay much, the money you earn can still help you avoid taking out expensive loans. For instance, earning enough to cover your food expenses or at least your rent can help a lot, considering that private loans charge sky-high interests. A lot of schools even offer students employment.
6. Take Some Time Off. If you have just graduated from high school and still undecided over your choice of major, it is probably wiser for you to just take some time off. Consider the risks. If you immediately enrol in college while your mind’s not yet made up, you might just decide to change your major later. Changing your major, of course, means that you’d incur new expenses. On the other hand, taking some time off gives you the chance to decide on what you want. You can also spend this time to work and save up for your fees.
7. Cut Down Costs Where Possible. You may be unaware of it, but managing your small expenses better can have a significant impact on your financial standing. Consider, for instance, how buying your coffee from cafes everyday costs a lot in the long run or how paying only the minimum for your credit card bills results in more interests. Being more mindful of how you spend your money can make a big difference. For example, sticking to your allowance budget means that you can save more money that you can in turn use for paying some school fees, thus sparing you the need to take out more loans.

Every year, thousands of students graduate from college already steeped in debt even before landing their first job. But while staggering student loans have become a national crisis, there are ways to avoid crippling debts. These include applying for scholarships and financial aids, attending community colleges or state schools, and getting a part-time job among others. While these measures may not cover all expenses, they can certainly help in bringing expenses down and ensuring that students graduate with minimal student loans.Need help with your term paper or essay