subject: Ways to Pay for Your College [print this page] Ways to Pay for Your College Ways to Pay for Your College
1.Downgrading Students considering prestige private schools, having $50,000+ annual expenses, are applying to many in-state 4-year colleges and universities. Would-be 4-year students are alternatively applying to the local junior schools. 2.Taking out unintended parent or student loans Certain families having slashed 529 Plans are taking the Stafford loans or PLUS loans for the earlier college years, hoping that the 529 account will resound in time to repay them. 3.Delaying your contributions to 401Ks as well as other retirement plans Certain parents are deciding on putting off saving for their individual retirement to assist to cash flow their children's college education today. It seems like a perilous proposition. You can see the immediate advantages and appeal that your child gets to complete college, still the loss of the compounded interest signifies that your savings could take a serious hit. Surely, provided the present state of the market, perhaps families seem like the prospective negative interest rates are not worth stopping the child's studies. 4.Bulking up on much cheaper college credits In case your college permits you to transfer in credits, then you can take up courses at the local community college in summertime for a cost fraction. Also, you might wish to consider providing yourself a start by taking many AP classes. 5.Asking the school's financial aid office to review your aid award In case your parent or you have recently lost a work, incurred unexpected medical costs, or experience any other financial hardship, then you're in a positive position to require your college for more aid. Actually, they might not always help you, though it won't hurt to require. 6.Applying for numerous private scholarships Spending about 5-10 hours per week applying for college scholarships can bring great results. Even though you just win $500 college scholarships, some may add up to your yearly tuition bill.