Students Pay

Some students pay for their own college education while working at the same as going to college. Others work ahead of time to save enough money leading up to the four years of college to earn a degree. Either way, students that pay for their own tuition tend to pay better attention to their academics because they have a vested interest in doing well—their hard earned money.

Not only do students that pay their own tuition and college fees tend to work harder on academic achievement, but they are also more likely to take it the distance to earn a degree.

Unfortunately, working to pay for a college education can also inhibit some students. For some students, it takes a toll on their time because they have to work full-time, go to school full-time and find time to do homework study and take care of their personal lives. The students who pay their own way also may be less likely to participate in college life activities because they are short on time.

Parents Foot the Bill

When parents pay for college, it can go one of two ways. Students may appreciate how hard their parents have worked to cover this expense, which is especially true in minority families, such as Hispanic and African-American families. This gives the child incentive to do well in school so as not to waste their parents’ money.

College experts say that no matter the income level of the parents, the parents and the child should have a payment agreement that correlates with academic success. For example, the parent may agree to pay for the child’s entire college education as long as they maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Other parents may pay upfront, but require the child to make a certain grade in each class. For example, the parent will pay 100 percent of the class if the child gets an A in the class. For a B, the parent may only pay 90 percent of the course, so the student owes their parents 10 percent of the cost of that class.

Again, this gives the child an incentive to do well in the class even though Mom and Dad are footing the bill.

Scholarships

Students that are attending college on a scholarship have a built-in incentive to do well. All scholarships have built-in requirements that students must meet to continue to receive their scholarship money. Typically, the requirement is to maintain a specific GPA and to stay out of academic or legal trouble while in college. As long as the students do this, they typically keep receiving their scholarship money. Kids going to college on scholarships tend to do what they have to do to keep their scholarship money coming in.

This is especially true of kids that would not be able to afford to go to college without the scholarship. Again, this tends to be low-income families that do not have other ways to pay for their child off to earn a college degree.

Financial Aid

College students that receive financial aid are also on an income-needs basis. This means that without the financial aid, it may prevent the student from going to college at all, or would require them to start at a local community college rather than head off to a four-year college or university.

Academic success and financial aid may propel students to do well because students know they have to pay the money pack after they graduate. If they don’t do well, then it is a waste of their own money because even though the students didn’t have to come up with the money upfront, it is their money that they have to pay back on the backend—after graduation.

Some financial aid is based on performance as well. This means that if the student receives financial aid one semester but fails, then they may not receive financial aid the following semester.

Other students mistake financial aid as “free money.” They do not fully understand that they have to pay this money back so that it is worth their effort to do good academically so that they do not waste the money.

Does the students’ academic success depend on who pays for their college? According to some studies there is a correlation between college success and the payment source, especially when the student has a vested interest—either paying for their own college, holding on to a scholarship or parents that will only pay when certain criteria are met.

Internships and Co-ops

Internships rock the house because you’ll gain experience while getting free or reduced-cost college. Most internship programs pay you for your hours put in which will offset your college expenses. In some cases, corporations will hire you, pay you for your internship, AND pay for the college courses that relate to the job you are working or the career you are gearing up for (related to working for their company, of course).

Co-ops are similar to internships, but they usually involve you as a student alternating semesters working for a company and going to school full-time. Co-op jobs are paid (often at amazingly great rates for the types of work you do – they usually pay far better than the dorm cafeteria or the campus store), and sometimes the company will also pay for your college classes as well.

To get an internship or co-op, you’ll need to:

• Approach your school counselor for contacts
• Apply for the internship or co-op opportunity
• Interview for the opportunity
• Commit to a specific amount of time (it could be all of your college experience or for as little as a semester)
• Keep your grades up! (Most internships and co-op programs require you maintain a specific GPA)

Early College Class Programs

This is how I got two full years of free college, so I know it works. Many high schools will let you attend college classes at a local college or university during your junior and senior year, and they’ll pay for your tuition and books as well. You’ll have to coordinate such that the college classes you take will count for your high school course requirements (for example – I had to take a college health course to cover my high school’s health class requirement—and that’s a course I probably never would have chosen on my own). Curious about this option?

• Meet with your school counselor and ask about available programs
• Compare these to your school’s IB or AP classes (you’ll probably have to pay for the AP exams, where as you probably won’t have to pay for anything if you take the early college courses)
• Ask about online options as well as classes on campus
• Make sure you communicate with your school counselor so you take classes that cover your high school graduation requirements
• Keep your grades up! (Most of these programs require you to maintain a certain GPA)
• Make sure you can handle the transportation and schedule issues inherent in taking college courses

Grants and Scholarships

Whether you’re a star athlete or not, there are grants and scholarships available for just about every type of student out there. You’ll be amazed at the wide variety of grants and scholarships available for the taking. Grants and scholarships provide money to be used for college tuition and supplies, and can come from the college or university or from other charitable foundations. While you know there is stiff competition for scholarly and athletic scholarships, you might not know about the quieter scholarships – the ones with less competition.

If you want to get a scholarship, you’ll need to:

• Start scoping out scholarships early – in the beginning of your junior year
• Meet with your school counselor for information about scholarships
• If you’re athletic, choose an obscure sport like lacrosse or rugby – you’ll be more likely to get a scholarship because there’s less competition for obscure sports than for popular sports like football or basketball
• If you’re musically talented, specialize in a less popular instrument, like the baritone, so you can nab a music scholarship with a college
• Get involve in the more obscure high school clubs, like debate, and apply for debate scholarships
• See if you qualify for a scholarship due to your ethnicity, socio-economic status, or unique heritage (There are plenty of scholarships available for minorities or low income families)
• Apply to many scholarships, and put your all into the application
• Apply for the scholarships that require extra work—like writing an essay or submitting a video (You’ll face less competition)
• Apply for the low-paying scholarships (Again—you’ll face less competition, and you can rack up quite a few offers if you apply to several of these)

Military Service

If you’d like to serve your country and receive a free college education at the same time, check into military service/education packages. You can sign up with any branch of the military and exchange years of military service for tuition aid. As of Fall 2011, the standard tuition assistance rate is $4,500 per year. The money is paid to the college of your choice (for classes, on a per class basis).

If you’re interested in using military service to gain free college, you’ll want to:

• Visit a military service branch office
• Talk to your school counselor about options
• Investigate the different branch options to determine which will best suit you

If you’ve already served in the military, you may want to look into Post/911 GI Bill benefits, GI Bill benefits, the Reserve Education Assistance Program, the Veterans Educational Assistance Program, and the VA Work-Study Program. If you are a dependent of a veteran, you may want to investigate the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program.

Free College Summary

As you can see, there are several ways to get free college. Talk to your school counselor for options and start investigating possibilities online. Watch out for scams such as websites who want to charge you money in exchange for information about grants, scholarships, and other such programs, and research all options carefully before applying. You’ll find plenty of free college options if you just take the time to do your research.

Here are just a few of the scholarships available that have summer application deadlines. Add them to your list, fill out the applications, and spend the rest of your summer lying on the beach, reading a good book, or reeling in that big bass (believe it or not there are even bass fishing scholarships!).

Courage to Grow Scholarship

This is an essay contest for high school seniors or college students with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or better. An essay on the topic: Why you believe that you should be awarded this scholarship. The award is $500. Deadline is May 31, 2011.

U.S. English Foundation Scholarship

If you’re a recent college graduate interested in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) this scholarship would help you continue your studies as a graduate student. You must complete an application and submit to the foundation for consideration. The award is $1500. Deadline is May 31, 2011.

The Akash Kuruvilla Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to one male and one female who embody the qualities of leadership, diversity, integrity and academia. Applicants can be high school or college students, and must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. The application requires a 750 word essay and a 500 word personal statement. The award is $1000. Deadline is June 1, 2011.

The Big Dig Scholarship

This scholarship is for those who are interested in digging or have ever buried a time capsule as a kid. However, you don’t have to be a future archaeologist to apply; just a high school senior or a first or second year college student. The essay is 500-1000 words and asks you to consider what you would bury for future generations to find. The award is $3000. Deadline is June 1, 2011.

The Do-Over Scholarship

We all want do-overs at some point in our lives. This scholarship is awarded by ScholarshipExperts.com has few requirements: a resident of the U.S. and a student 13 years of age or older considering enrollment or already enrolled in college. The award is $1000. Deadline is June 30, 2011.

Share Your Story Scholarship

If you are from a low-income family and wrote about inspirational dreams and ideas, this scholarship will be right up your alley. This is an essay competition for students who will be or are currently attending college in the fall of 2011. This contest is based around your college admissions essay and requires you submit a copy of your essay. The best essay in each of the eight chapters (they are compiling these for a book) will receive a $1000 college scholarship. The best overall essay will win a $5000 scholarship. You can submit as many essays as you like. Deadline is July 15, 2011.

Glen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

High school students, current college students, and even graduates can apply for this scholarship. The winners are chosen by committee basing their decision primarily on the submitted personal statement. The award can be used for tuition, room and board, required fees or any other educational expenses. The award is $1000. Deadline is July 31, 2011.

American Red Cross Bloodstock Scholarship

This scholarship is specifically for high school students and requires some leg work on your part; but you will be helping to save lives in the process. To qualify for the scholarship you must plan and organize a blood drive. If you collect 50 units of blood, you will be eligible for a $2000 scholarship; 35 units of blood qualifies you for a $1000 scholarship award. The drive must be approved by the Red Cross who will help you with the entire process. Here’s the PLUS with this one–you can boast about it on your college application essay! Deadline is August 31, 2011.

There’s nothing quite like FREE money to pay for your college education. Why not spend your summer applying for these scholarships? You could net yourself some cash and have less debt when you graduate from college.

Have you ever applied for a scholarship and won? Leave us a comment and tell us about your application process.