by Connor Brunson
(Columbia, SC, USA)
Many times, the struggle to pay for a college education seems like a tremendous war against the system, as if every factor of university life is working tirelessly to put innocent, hardworking students out on the street. Tuition is constantly rising, textbooks are forever more expensive, and the often sub-par cafeteria food seems to fancy itself a gourmet meal. In short, it is growing easier and easier for students to burn themselves out while avoiding the far-reaching grasp of college costs. However, what many fail to consider is the possibility of working within the system. That, instead of flailing against the stubborn walls of bureaucracy, they can utilize the momentum already provided to them from within the school’s structure. At the end of the day, colleges are institutions of higher education, whose ultimate purpose is the betterment of the community, and most universities have financial aid options within their own halls.
by Theresa Dominguez
It is hard for teenagers to get employed today, so these are ideas of what they could do in order to earn money for their college.
What could we do legitimately to earn money to pay for college? Start with creating a contest for family members to play, charging an entrance fee to play. Individuals love football pots, so have a football pot where the winners get money, but part of the pot goes towards your college for point spread predictions. Each participant in the football pot must be aware of how the proceeds will be distributed.
Another idea is to go to a senior housing community, and ask if they need any errands like purchasing their groceries with them, so that you carry in all the bags, and you drive them either to their doctor visits, etc.
Another creative idea is to shampoo dogs for the neighbors, spread flea killing products in the yards for the neighbors. Put up flyers in the neighborhoods offering dog sitting, car washing, carpooling children to their sport events, or dance programs or with the scare of children abduction they could offer to walk kids to the school buses or pick them up from the school bus or walk them to school or walk them home from school.
Another creative idea is to go to garage sales, flea markets, Craigslist, etc., and find items that have value and purchase them cheaply, so that they can be sold on E-Bay as a bidding price. Another creative idea is tutoring elementary kids because who may better understand how to get a kid through elementary than a high school student.
A teenager could go to churches, and ask what they could possibly do for them where they could possibly earn some money like cleaning because churches do pay for individuals to clean the grounds or inside the church like removing gum from underneath pews, chairs or tables. Have you ever thought about growing vegetables in order to sell around the neighborhood because there are a lot of individuals who want to purchase organic vegetables or have chickens and sell the eggs?
I hope these ideas are something you can put to use because I know that we all need help earning money, so that we are not strapped with student loan debts.
Read more College Financial Aid Tips from other students and parents who have been through process.
by Jessica Venable
(Maryville, Tennessee)
There is one major action that young high schoolers can do to provide a little bit of cushion transitioning from high school to college. That cushion is experience. Experience out in the real world.
Job experience is something that every young teen needs to get involved in as soon as he or she is old enough. Most schools will encourage you to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Although that is extremely important, saving money for college is very helpful in the long run.
My one piece of advice to high school students is to open up a savings account, and save, save, save! Once college rolls around, buying dorm essentials will take a major toll on your wallet. Overall, students spend around $1,000 dollars before they even pay for classes or books.
Luckily, I started saving when I was an upcoming junior in high school. I knew that college was not going to be easy for my family financially, so I began putting 1/3 of my check that I received weekly into my savings account. After a couple of years, I was amazed at how much it grew! For this reason, I am very thankful that I was able to put away a certain amount of money weekly.
Having a job has provided me with a cushion. I was about to get all of my college supplies without my single mother having to struggle to provide me with the college essentials. Having a savings account is a nice cushion if anything happens to fall through.
Advice for future college freshman, always be money smart! College spending does not have to be stressful as long as you come prepared.
Read more College Financial Aid Tips 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