Paying for college

@newtondak (3946)
United States
May 18, 2008 4:52pm CST
Does anyone here have creative ways to pay for your college student's college tuition and expenses? All the "experts" tell you to take out loans against your home equity, or take out numerous personal loans that have to paid back later - there must be a better way!
4 responses
• United States
22 May 08
The best advice I can give you is to explore every possible scholarship, grant, part-time job, tax credit, and interest-free loan possible. There are books at your local library and numerous websites on scholarships. The key is to keep applying and you will eventually score some cash. Grants are often based on financial need, so make sure you fill out federal, state, and institutional financial aid applications. Job opportunities abound on college campuses. Start looking the moment you step on campus. Depending on your income, you may qualify for tax credits or interest-free loans. If you explore all of these outlets, you are bound to find ways to finance a college education.
• United States
19 May 08
Right now I am in college and that way that I am paying for college are a lot of different ways. I have loans in my name, I have like two scholarships, a grant and then that State is giving me free money because of my grades. Sometimes there are still stuff to be paid so I have to pay it by cash. And then on top of that are the books and clothes and other stuff for school.
1 person likes this
@Adelida2233 (1005)
• United States
18 May 08
I did it the old fashioned way and graduated college with a $300 loan from my bank. That's it. I searched long and hard doing scholarships, and there are plenty of books in the library on this. The best advice I can give you for scholarships is to look at the guides they have in the library and ask your librarian for resources. Trying to find a scholarship on the internet that isn't a scam is nearly impossible. Stick to people you can see on this one. If you have a specific school and study you are interested in, see if there are scholarships available from your school. Some programs get grants and donations specifically for this reason and much of it goes unused or used improperly. If you qualify, check into Pell Grants, those have a lower interest rate(at least last time I checked) that your typical home equity or personal loan. As a last resort, take out a home equity or personal loan. But be sure to check around at all the banks in your area. Since you're a student, you may be able to join a local credit union, and even if you use it for nothing else, they have more flexibility with loan rates and repayment options. Good luck!
• Philippines
20 May 08
haha! better have a scholarship program.