Reducing College Costs

1. Service Academy Scholarships are offered each year to qualified students to attend the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, or the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. The scholarships are competitive and are based upon a number of factors, including high school grades, SAT or ACT scores, leadership qualities, and athletic ability. Students receive their undergraduate education at one of the service academies. They pay no tuition or fees, but there is a service commitment after graduation.
2. One of the most obvious ways of reducing college costs is to attend a low-cost school, either public or private. There are many colleges and universities with affordable tuition and generous financial assistance. Students should investigate all schools that meet their academic and financial needs.
3. Some schools offer combined degree programs or 3-year programs that allow students to take all of the courses needed for graduation in 3 years, instead of 4, thereby eliminating 1 year's educational expenses.
4. Partial tuition remission for the children of alumni is a common practice. Parents and students should investigate their alma mater's tuition discount policy for graduates.
5. Some colleges and universities offer special discounts if more than one child from the same family is enrolled.
6. Some colleges and universities offer discounts to enrolled students if they recruit another student.
7. Some schools offer a tuition discount to student government leaders or to the editors of college newspapers or yearbooks.
8. Some colleges offer bargain tuition rates to older students.
9. Some colleges and universities convert non-federal school loans into non-federal grants if the student remains in school and graduates.
10. Some schools will pay a student's loan origination fees.
11. Some schools offer reduced tuition rates to families if the major wage earner is unemployed.
12. Some colleges and universities have special funds set aside for families who do not qualify for federal or state funding.
13. Some private colleges will match the tuition of out-of-state institutions for certain students. Check with your college to determine whether you qualify for this option.
14. Some companies offer tuition assistance to the children of employees. Parents and students should check with the personnel office for information.
15. Students should try to buy used textbooks.