What Should I Do If I Can't Afford A College Degree?

The expense of attending an institute of higher learning continues to rise and presents considerable financial challenges for many students and their families.

What should you do if you can't afford a college degree? Here are seven steps you can take, like applying for financial aid and scholarships, to alleviate those costs and help you reach your educational goals.

7 Steps To Take If You Can't Afford A College Degree

The following options can make paying for school more manageable and help you afford a college degree to further your education and improve your career skills.

1. Complete The FAFSA Form

College students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which they can access online. This form helps determine eligibility for financial aid and federal student loans.

When completing the FAFSA application, students should expect to provide details about their income and federal tax information.

There are strict cutoff dates for submitting a FAFSA form, and the federal deadline is June 30. Schools often have specific due dates, so it is essential to check with each institution.

2. Find Scholarships

Different types of scholarships are available to assist students who can't afford to pay for a college degree.

For instance, some are merit-based according to academic achievement or meeting specific standards. Other types are awarded per a particular level of financial need.

Some scholarships center on certain groups of people, for example, military member scholarships.

Individuals should apply for as many as they need since there are no restrictions on the number of scholarships, and they do not need to be repaid.

Students can consider checking different sources like a school's financial aid office or their state's grant agency for what is available and eligibility requirements, including deadlines to be met.

3. Apply for College Grants

Undergraduate students requiring a certain level of financial need may receive a Federal Pell Grant, which does not require repayment.

The amount awarded for a Federal Pell Grant varies and depends on factors like the cost of attendance for their college of choice and the expected family contribution.

Students must submit a FAFSA form to see if they qualify for a Pell Grant and determine their eligibility.

4. Look Into Federal Work-Study Programs

For enrolled students trying to afford a college degree, Federal Work-Study can be an excellent option for helping with tuition expenses.

Individuals who need certain financial assistance are provided with part-time jobs which help pay for tuition. It often involves work in community service or a role concerning a student's major.

Undergraduate and graduate students going to school part-time or full-time are eligible and encouraged to apply for Federal Work-Study Programs.

5. Explore Tuition Payment Plans

To make paying for college more manageable, students can explore the option of tuition payment plans, which covers the costs of a degree in installments.

Instead of providing the total tuition amount and applicable fees up front, these installment plans let students send payments in smaller amounts over a specific time.

Sometimes there are enrollment fees involved with setting up these installment programs. However, these fees are typically better than other options, such as student loan interest.

Most colleges and universities have tuition payment plans to make school more affordable for students who need assistance.

For example, The City University of New York (CUNY) lets students split the costs into equal payments at any CUNY school. These monthly installments are interest-free and help with budgeting payments to make it more manageable.

6. Enroll in Online Degree Programs

Students can save on costs to pay for college by taking advantage of distance education provided by many accredited institutions nationwide.

Enrolling in online degree programs relieves room and board expenses, and no commuting costs are involved. Several colleges and universities offer online courses that are cheaper than on-campus programs.

Fees for books and supplies can also be less expensive when it comes to online education and is a great option for many students seeking an affordable way to pay for a college degree.

7. Consider Tuition-Free Colleges

Many tuition-free programs are available for eligible students and are an excellent option when you can't afford college.

A number of these free tuition programs are accessible through online learning, providing the flexibility and convenience that many busy students need to earn a degree.

For example, the University of the People (UoPeople) is an accredited 100% online tuition-free institution that only charges minimal application and course assessment fees.

UoPeople has several options for obtaining credible associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees and non-degree certification programs for students of all levels.

Another example of tuition-free degrees includes senior citizen waiver programs. Older adults over 60 who meet eligibility requirements can enroll in undergraduate and graduate studies and receive a tuition waiver.

Follow These Tips To Pay For College Today

With high tuition costs and many expenses accompanying a degree, paying for college can seem out of reach for many individuals.

These tips demonstrate what you should do if you can't afford a college degree to help you get the financial aid you may qualify for and kick your educational ambitions into gear.