In the past decade, the cost of college education in the US has been on the rise, making people look for alternatives in order to reduce the total cost involved. As of 2017, the average college tuition fees at state institutions stood at $9,900. This figure is relative depending on the type of student, the status of the college, and course of study, just to mention but a few. In this article, we’re going to give you 4 simple ways to reduce these escalating college costs.
1. Local College Options
To reduce your college costs, you may opt to take a program within your local area rather than taking up a program in a college far from home. Of the total college costs, off campus accommodation and living expenses are easily 2 of the biggest expenses.
Studying around home allows you to reduce additional living costs as you will still operate from home and probably still be helped by parents or guardians, which is way cheaper overall. If you live in New England for instance, New England College has tons of undergraduate programs you could choose from.
2. Scholarships
Scholarships are the other channel that you can use to reduce your college costs. Different colleges, corporates, and the government offer different types of scholarships all with different requirements. Some of the common partial and full scholarships offered are sports related, but there are tons of non-sports related scholarships available.
Most of the government-funded scholarships are on the basis of the family social status. However, even if you do not fully meet the conditions for the different scholarships, it is advisable to try and apply if you feel that you deserve it.
3. Online College Programs
Thanks to technology, it’s possible to follow your college program from the comfort of your home or office. What this does other than offering more convenience, is reducing your overall college costs. Many colleges in the country and the world over provide online courses as well as traditional options. Online education allows you to save on manuals, lodging, campus fees and other costs associated with normal college programs.
4. Spend on Campus
As students, it is easy to spend more money than needed. Most colleges have all their student utility shops, restaurants and facilities subsidized. Therefore, having lunch on campus will usually save you money. Many may not realize it but eating out is one of the most significant expenses on a budget and cutting down by staying on campus can make a huge difference. You should also check establishments around your college that offer special offers. Taking advantage of your student status will allow you to save a lot of money and reduce your cumulative college costs.
If you follow some of the tips in the article, you should be able to reduce your college costs significantly. As a result, you will have a smooth time in college and not accumulate a huge college debt by the time you graduate.