8 Ways To Pay for College Without Your Parents' Help

A common expectation for many aspiring college students is that their parents will aid them in paying for their higher education costs. However, this isn't the case for everyone. Economic status, family discord, and more are common reasons people might have to fund their college education expenses without a family contribution.

You can receive financial aid and pay for your college without parental contributions. Multiple options are available, including:

• scholarships
• student loans
• employment opportunities to provide additional funding

Can You Pay for College Without a Parent's Help?

Yes, you can pay for college without your parent's help. College expenses, even beyond tuition, continue to rise and not all families can provide parental support to their dependent students. Students have multiple options to help them pay their cost of attendance without help from their parents and without incurring large amounts of student loan debt.

Students must start by filling out their Free Application For Federal Student Aid documents (FAFSA). FAFSA includes your parents' information, such as expected family contributions and recent tax returns, to establish if your financial situation meets eligibility requirements for free money and loan options from the federal government. You will need to fill this form out before eFAFSA is only valid for a single academic year

In addition to establishing eligibility for federal financial aid, your FAFSA is a crucial step for qualifying for financial need-based grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. Federal student loans are one of the most regularly used forms of student aid. However, several types of financial aid packages that students can stack to help cover the cost of college education are available.

Private student loans, issued through a bank or other lender, are another option. These loans usually have higher interest rates and often require a co-signer, depending on your credit score or other financial information, like the results of a credit check.

Tips for Paying for College Without Parental Assistance

After filling out your FAFSA forms, you should look into all your options to pay for college without parental financial support. Consider how employment or enlistment can affect your eligibility. You will have additional grants and free money available if you're an active duty member of the American armed forces.

1. Apply for Financial Aid

The first step you should take is applying for federal financial aid. Once you complete your FAFSA forms, you'll know what you are eligible for and apply. You don't have to be enrolled in a community college or university to fill out your FAFSA forms. High school students should fill out their documents as they apply for college.

2. Explore Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships are a type of financial aid called free money because they don't need to be paid back. Institutions and private groups award scholarships to undergraduate students with financial needs or to reward academic and extracurricular excellence, such as athletic involvement or a high GPA. Your scholarship search should also include looking for professional associations in your field. Sometimes groups and alumni associations give back to certain degree programs.

3. Work Part-Time

College courses and homework are full-time jobs on their own, which often makes it hard for students to work full-time to help cover costs as they arise. If possible, find a part-time job with a flexible schedule that will allow you to earn money and still complete your studies. Your job shouldn't cut into your study or class time, even though paying for college is important.

4. Work During the Summer

It's not always easy to balance employment with college enrollment. Even a part-time job can be hard to maintain due to long study hours, extracurricular activities, and trying to rest properly. If you can't find the time to pursue a part-time job, consider working in the summer. Colleges pause primary course loads for the summer months, even though some students elect for summer courses annually. This is a perfect time to work and save money to help pay for supplies, reducing the amount of loans or financial aid you need.

5. Join a Work-Study Program

A work-study program is like a hybrid of a job and an internship. Work-study positions usually are an on-campus job or a role in a local government or non-profit organization. Students work a mandatory number of weekly hours and receive payments that can be used for supplies. Your school might help you coordinate your work-study job, but most schools require students to find their opportunities.

6. Research Eligible Grants

Grants are like scholarships in that they are free money. The U.S. Department of Education has multiple grant types that can be awarded based on factors like military service, the type of degree program you're pursuing, and financial need. Filing your FAFSA forms will help you understand which grants you are eligible to apply for.

7. Seek Support From Other Trusted Adults

Sadly, some students don't receive parental support for college due to a disconnect or broken relationship. Turning to other adults you trust, even a friend's parent, who can serve as a co-signer or provide personal finance advice can be invaluable.

8. Apply for State and Institutional Aid

Financial aid programs are offered by your state government and school, in addition to federal student aid. Reach out to your school's financial aid office to learn about any need-based programs they offer and inquire about support from alumni associations or other groups that might help students in the programs they graduated from.

Should You Get a Student Loan Without a Parent?

It's easier to receive student loans with a parent or similar guardian, but you shouldn't let an absence of parental support hold you back when it comes to schooling. Filing your FAFSA forms as an independent student will allow you to qualify for a higher lending limit than a dependent student.

Education costs are high, but the return on investment that comes with a college education is also high. If your parents have a poor credit score and can't serve as a co-signer or you have a fractured relationship with them, filing as an independent student is a good way to qualify for student aid.

Don't forget that dependent and independent filers must pay back student loans. If you don't have viable career prospects that help you with repayment options, taking out a loan without support could cause problems. Speak with an adult you trust before signing a student loan.