How to Bring Down Cost of Getting a Degree
A professional degree combined with a great job can ensure financial security for everyone. Sometimes people need to pursue additional courses like management; doctorates etc., to make sure they are able to sustain their career growth. There are some simple ways to bring down the expenses of getting a degree, considering today’s economical scenario in mind.
Step 1 ” Look for admission in a community college rather than in a four year degree institution. The cost of studying in a community college is less costly compared to a four year degree university. The credits of the elective courses chosen here can be transferred to a four year institution. This enables students to proceed to a college degree without much cost involved.
Step 2 – Colleges offer athletic and non-athletic scholarships for students who are part of the student government, yearbook staff, chess club, the arts, etc. Websites like FastWeb.com and Scholarships.com help to get scholarships based on certain criteria. The criteria may include categories like minority, disabled, gender-based, religious, academic, or athletic scholarships etc. Also, remember to visit the University websites for financial aid applications.
Step 3 ” Those who apply with work experience, like working professionals wanting to pursue an MBA or DBA degree can check with the college/university if there any work credits allocated during admissions. There are some colleges that give three, six or more credits for business experience that is related to a college course. Find out if the employer is offering a tuition fee reimbursement for pursuing higher studies. Also, if you have passed tests like DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) and CLEPS (College-Level Examination Program) they can add more value to your credit count during college admission.
Step 4 – It is advisable to pursue online courses that completely eliminate many overhead costs like travel, purchase of books, dresses, vehicle etc. Online degrees can be taken up to give the career a boost in order to handle the economic crisis situation intelligently. Some online universities provide early bird discounts and conduct essay contests to grant scholarships and waivers. These schemes can be well used to cut down on major portions of the college expenses like tuition fees.
Step 5 ” Enquire with university offices whether they offer Federal Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Pell Grants, and in-house scholarships for those who qualify. The government website www.fafsa.ed.gov can be used to apply for loans. The FAFSA is an important document for getting any kind of financial assistance from the government, especially students, without having to pay back
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