by Troy
(Laurelton, NY USA)
I am a senior currently in college. This should be a happy time for me because I am almost finished with my major which is bachelor's of health sciences nutrition. The only problem that is hindering me from continuing my courses is due to my financial situation that I owe to the school.
by Zac Nicholson
(Evansville, Indiana, USA)
Paying back student loans - At the start of the 2011 year I decided that I wanted to do something with my life. The thing I decided to do was go to college to pursue a major in Sports Management. I wanted to get a Sports Management degree because, I have always love sports. So I applied to a few universities, most didn’t want me to attend their university. So I had to go to a community college.
So now that I knew what college I was going to, I had to figure out how I was going to pay for it. My parents wanted me to be independent, meaning they weren’t going to help me pay. I realized the only way I could pay for college was to get the government help. I did this by completing a FAFSA form online, then accepting my loans that the government offered me.
The first time I accepted all the money that they would offer me, this turned out to be a bad idea. See I didn’t realize that I had to pay this money back after I was done with college. I now realize that I will be paying back money that I shouldn’t have taken out.
While the government paid for all my college the first semester, they didn’t for my second one. This became a problem because I didn’t have a job, and my parents weren’t going to help me out. So I had to take out a private loan. I had to take this loan out because I decided to take all the money I was offered in my first semester. This money I took was to be used for my first and second semester.
What did I do with the extra money I had gotten from the first semester? I spent it on materialistic stuff that I didn’t need. So now I owe the government money, and this loan company money. If I had known that you do not have to take the whole amount the government offers you, I wouldn’t had done it. It would have saved me money now, and in the long run.
Read more tips on Paying back Student Loans from other students and parents who have been through the student loan process.
by Michelle
(Lansing, Michigan)
I am extremely thankful for the availability of student loan programs to assist in my attaining the dream of a college degree. Without them I would not have been able to complete my Master’s Degree and be working in a job that I love! Although accruing debt is not the ideal, sometimes it is an ends to a means. I worked two jobs during college and still was not able to cover all the expenses. Now I have accomplished my goal and have more than DOUBLED my salary by attaining a Master’s Degree in Public Health. My current occupation is developing adolescent health programs across the state of Michigan, allowing me to help Michigan’s young people realize their dreams of an education and that a healthy, happy life is achievable! That makes it all worth it!!
My advice to current students is to make sure the degree you are pursuing is actually what you intend to do with your life. Also, remember that the cost of the degree will pay for itself in the long term. Many people I know never actually finish their degree, due to not only the expense but deciding to quit to get married or decide on another career path before completing their requirements. I have friends that are only 2-3 classes short of a Bachelor’s Degree and never finished. Now they are stuck with student loan debt with no diploma to show for it! If you don’t intend on sticking it out and completing your degree all of that investment is lost!! That is unbelievable to me to waste such an opportunity!!
Achieving your goal of a college education will require determination, courage, stamina and focus. Too often in our society today young people have an attitude that they are entitled to living the life their parents and grandparents spent their lives working hard to achieve. Attending a higher education institution is a privilege not an entitlement. My belief is that college is not as much about learning academics but learning the life skills it takes to be the best person you can be to succeed in life. Budgeting and the financial responsibility associated with student loan debt is one of those life skills that will serve you well if you are willing to learn!
Read more College Financial Aid Advice from other students and parents who have been through process.
Scholarships for 2024 - It is never too early or too late to work on your scholarship searches. If you are part of the high school class of 2024, you should work on your scholarship and college search now. See our list of Scholarships for High School Seniors
FAFSA - The official 2024 - 2025 FAFSA will be available in December. FAFSA.
Scholarship Lists An overview of the different types of Scholarship Money for College.
Grants Learn more about grants, the other free money for college.
Need Tuition Help? Reduce the cost of tuition with these college Tuition Assistance Programs.
Tax Credit Claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
College Savings Plans Save money for college with these College Savings Plans.
Need a Student Loan? Yes, you qualify for these college Student Loans.
Scholarships for High School Students