Getting an education in the United States is not free. The United States is one of the most expensive countries in the world to get an education. These schools have a high standard of education but it does not come at a low cost, these schools are very expensive. Well, there are a few people who can afford to pay these high fees but there are so many who have to work their bones for several years to save up for their children’s college education. Unfortunately, some parents who are not able to fully support their children through college. As the years go by, these college fees keep rising and more sacrifices have to be made by the families who want to get their kids through college. There are however some children who do not want to put their families through the burden and decide not to go to college at all. In this article we shall see Can You Go To College If You Have No Money?
Can You Go To College If You Have No Money?
Not having any money should not be a reason to not attend college. If you are serious about getting a college education, there are several options to consider that would enable you to get through college even if you have an empty bank account. You are not the only one in this boat. Several students in the country who cannot afford a college education, but go on to get a College Degree anyway. So yes, you can go to College if you have no money.
Ways to Get a College Education without Any Money
Financial Aid
Getting financial Aid is one of the best ways to fund your education through college. This helps considerably to reduce the burden on your family. The amount of aid you receive is based on your family’s income as it would be assessed during your application. There are four different forms of Financial Aid – Loans, Scholarships, Grants, and Work-Study.
Grants
Grants can be financial aid from the Government or the Universities. There are several grants given by the government such as the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship, and several others. Universities & Colleges also give Grants to their students when they recognize students with financial needs. Students who are seeking Financial Aid are always advised to fill in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms in time before the deadline to qualify for student loans.
Scholarships
Scholarships like grants do not need to be repaid and are usually gotten based on merit, need, and monetary awards. These are categorized as Gift Aid. A scholarship can be partial or fully funded and many of them can be renewed so long as you meet the criteria for renewal. A lot of students in colleges around the county are scholarship students. These scholarships can be given by the government, the school, and also private organizations.
Loans
Loans are not free and are considered self-help aid. They have to be repaid gradually after graduation with interest. It is however a form of assistance for students who cannot afford to pay their way through college. There are different types of loans; there are the Federal loan and the Private Loan. The Federal Loan is preferred because of the low-interest rate while private loans have exorbitant interest rate which increases over time making it really difficult to pay. Most students that take out loans to fund their education make use of Federal Loans. It is of importance that Parents, Guardians, and students read and understand the terms and conditions when taking out a loan. Some of these Loans are Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans, University Loans, and several others. Before taking out this loan students should think of the loan terms, and the amount of debt they will have to pay after college and also consider their options carefully.
Work-Study
Work-study is a federal program that allows you to work on campus and earn money that can be used to support yourself financially. Every student is eligible for work-study and if you qualify you can study and earn money. You have to work to earn this money.
Free-Tuition Colleges
Besides considering getting financial assistance from the government and colleges, you can also consider going to Tuition-free schools. To get into these schools you might be required to work on-campus, service after graduation. For some, you have to come from a low-income background or be from a certain state or region in the country. These schools are not for everyone but it is a huge save and it is worth considering if you cannot afford a regular college.
- Alice Lloyd College, Kentucky.
- The Apprentice School (VA).
- Barclay College, Kansas.
- Berea College, Kentucky.
- College of the Ozarks, Missouri.
- Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia.
- Deep Springs College, California.
- Haskell Indian Nations University, Kansas.
- United States Air Force Academy, Colorado.
- United States Military Academy, New York.
- United States Naval Academy, Maryland.
- Warren Wilson College, North Carolina.
- Webb Institute, New York, and several others.
Online Colleges.
Online Colleges can also be considered. They offer degree programs at a low cost compared to the payment incurred in a physical school. There are several Online Colleges in the country and most of the top schools in the country run online programs as well.
- University of California, Los Angeles.
- University of Southern California.
- Columbia University.
- Florida State University.
- University of Texas at Dallas.
- Virginia Tech, and many more
Community Colleges
Community Colleges are also really good options, public and private schools aren’t the only options. Community Colleges are much cheaper than public and private colleges and universities. It is best to find a community college in your resident state to reduce the costs. You can however choose to transfer to a public or state university after getting two years of cheap education. If your result or grades are good you can get scholarships that would fund the rest of your stay in school.
Travel Abroad
The cost of moving can be quite expensive but students move abroad to study in European countries with little or free tuition while also receiving an education from one of the best schools in the world. Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and some other European Countries have free tuition and an affordable standard of living.
Conclusion
There are so many options for you to study without having any money. The best thing to do is to make research on the schools and the programs they offer and do not forget to consider what you want for yourself. Community colleges and Online Colleges are cheap but might not be the best fit for you.
It is of great advantage to start thinking about college early. Do not go through the thought process alone. Make plans about colleges and your options with your parents, guardians, your smart, knowledgeable, efficient school teachers, and also your school counselor. It is great to be proactive!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Colleges Have The Lowest Tuition?
There are Colleges in the United States that have low tuition and this does not mean that the education there is of poor quality.
- South Texas College.
- Indian River State College.
- Elizabeth City State University.
- Georgia Regents University.
- Berea College.
- Palm Beach State College.
- California State University – Dominguez Hills, and many other schools.
When Should A Student Apply For the FAFSA?
It is advised to apply for the FAFSA as early as possible. The earliest candidates to apply are always the first to be considered and are usually given the highest amount of aid. To get the scholarship, it is best to apply before the application deadline.
