Tips For Graduating From A University Without Debt
These days, having a college education is important. If you have a degree, you are more likely to obtain a good paying job that has plenty of advancement opportunities. One of the negative aspects of getting a college degree is the debt that comes with it. The average student will graduate with at least $20,000 in student debt. Having this kind of debt can be overwhelming, especially if you have a lot of other expenses. Luckily, there are a few ways you can graduate from college without much debt.
Don’t Go to a College You Can’t Afford
One of the best ways to avoid debt is to avoid going to a college that you can’t afford. Instead of attending a private university that costs $30,000 a year, go to an in-province public university. Going to a public university that is in your hometown can save you over $20,000 a year. If you want to save even more money, you should go to a community college for a couple of years.
Apply for Scholarships
You do not have to be a genius to qualify for a scholarship. There are tons of scholarship opportunities out there, so take the time to apply for several of them. For example, if you are a very good writer, you could consider writing an essay. If you are good at sports, you can apply for a sports scholarship. Even if the scholarship does not cover your entire tuition, it will still save you a lot of money.
Get a Job
Working while going to school is not easy, but it can be done. If you work at least 20 hours a week, you can pay off some of your tuition. For example, you can serve food at a local restaurant or get a job as a cashier at a grocery store. There are plenty of employers that are willing to work with your school schedule. Instead of spending the money you earn on frivolous items, use it to pay off your tuition.
Live At Home
Although you probably want to be on your own, living at home with your parents will save you a lot of money. In addition to rent, you will save money on utilities, cable, Internet and food. You can use the money you earn from your job on tuition costs.
Do not Own a Car
Owning a car is very convenient, but it can cost a lot of money. In addition to the monthly payments, you have to pay for gas, insurance and maintenance fees. The expenses of owning a car can add up to hundreds of dollars each month. It is a smarter idea to put that money toward your tuition. Go to a university that is within walking distance of your home. Not having a car might be an inconvenience at first, but it will be worth it in the end.
Work for Your University
You should consider getting a job at your university. If you work for you university, you might get a discount on your tuition. Ask your adviser if there are any employment opportunities available at your university. For example, you can work at your university’s library.
As you can see, you do not have to graduate from college with a load of debt. If you follow these helpful tips, you can get out of college with little or no debt. You just have to work hard and avoid spending money on things you do not need. When things become overwhelming, just remember how relieved you will feel when you graduate from college without any debt.
