This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.
Looking to graduate college debt-free? Want your child(ren) to get out of college debt-free? Check out these Tips On How To Graduate College Debt Free. And, Florida Residents, be sure to use Florida Prepaid College Plan Promo Code SAVING20 to save on your application fee. This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own.
9 Tips On How To Graduate College Debt Free
Going to college is the experience of a lifetime. Not only will you learn the things that will hopefully set you up for a successful career, you will also have life experiences that you won’t get anywhere else. I even met my husband while I was in college 🙂 And while going to college is something that many look forward to, I mean, we are technically preparing for it from the first day of Kindergarten, it can also be a scary time. One of the scariest things about college, for students and their parents, is the DEBT. Did you know that Student loan debt has reached $1 trillion of debt among Americans? The cost of one year of college is WAY more than it was when I was a student, almost triple! So, how do you get out of college debt-free? Or almost debt-free? How do we prepare our children to get out of college debt-free? Well, here are some tips that will hopefully help.
Here are 9 Tips On How To Graduate College Debt Free
1. Start saving NOW
Whether you are a high school student just now thinking about college or if you are a parent and trying to figure out how you will pay for your child’s tuition in 16 years, NOW is the time to start saving. No amount is too little, just start tucking it away. It will add up. It will make a difference. If you are a Florida resident, I strongly encourage you to look into Florida Prepaid College Plans. I can honestly say that it was the ONLY way my husband and I were able to pay for our children’s college education. Yes, I said PAY FOR. We have been Florida Prepaid College Plans customers (and Believers) for just about 13 years now. Both of our children had their college tuitions paid for before they even started middle school, and we wouldn’t have been able to do it with Florida Prepaid College Plans.
Learn more about Florida Prepaid College Plans – You can also call their amazing customer service team at 1-800-552-4723.
Use Florida Prepaid College Plan Promo Code SAVING20 to save on the application fee during open enrollment
2. Take AP courses in High School
No student really wants extra homework and harder classes, but taking a few classes in high school that would let you test out of them in college could save thousands of dollars. My son is currently taking classes in middle school that will count for high school credits, this means he can take a class in high school that will hopefully give him a jump start on college.
3. Take College Classes in High School
Yes, getting out at noon your senior year of high school because you took extra classes the other years sounds REALLY appealing, but it makes the most sense to get started on those college credits at a much cheaper price.
4. Apply for Scholarships
Do well in high school, consider playing sports. These will make scholarships for attainable. I got a scholarship for my grades in high school, it was a partial scholarship, but it helped! My husband got a scholarship for being a golf caddy in high school, his covered his tuition for four years!
5. Apply for Financial Aid/Grants
Even if you don’t plan on taking out loans, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows you to be considered for grants and scholarships, too.
6. Work Part-Time
I found a job on campus at a library. I was able to do my homework while I worked and I made enough to cover a few bills. Over the summer I waitressed full-time and that was always enough to cover a good chunk of my tuition each year.
7. Research Companies that Offer Tuition Assistance
Did you know there were companies out there that actually help you pay for your tuition?! Do some research and you will be pleasantly surprised. Companies like Starbucks, Walmart, Home Depot and many more offer tuition reimbursement.
8. Start at a Community College
Community colleges are lower cost and you can easily transfer your credits to the university of your choice. Florida Prepaid College Plans even has a plan for this to help you save even more, it’s called the 2 + 2 Florida Plan. The 2 + 2 Florida Plan allows your child to receive a degree from one of Florida’s prestigious State Universities for less than a typical four-year university degree. By starting your child off at one of the state’s 28 Florida Colleges (formerly Community Colleges), you’ll save money on lower-level courses before transferring to a State University to finish off their degree. Even better, students with this plan are guaranteed admission to a State University once they’ve earned their associate’s degree at a Florida College. With admission becoming ever more competitive, that can be a huge benefit.
9. Think Outside Of The Box
The ROTC offers to help with your tuition and fees in exchange for military service. If that is something you or your child has ever thought about, it’s worth a few minutes of research.
What are your tips for graduating college debt free?
Student loan debt has reached $1 trillion of debt among Americans. Don’t add to that insanely high number! Use these tips to help you graduate college free from a lifetime of debt! And let Florida Prepaid College Plans help.
Learn more about Florida Prepaid College Plans – You can also call their amazing customer service team at 1-800-552-4723.
Use Florida Prepaid College Plan Promo Code SAVING20 to save on the application fee during open enrollment
*Florida Prepaid College Plans Open Enrollment starts in February, you will save on the application fee and it should only take about 10-15 minutes to fill out the application—it is not scary or time consuming! And it’s worth every minute!
Follow Florida Prepaid College Plans on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to stay up to date with information on open enrollment but get tips on college and more.
Be sure to follow Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more helpful tips, things to do in Florida, and family fun.
Comment section