Paying for College
College can be expensive! However, there are ways to pay for college that can save you money!
College can be expensive! However, there are ways to pay for college that can save you money!
Choosing the right college can save you money!
Choosing the right college can save you money!
1. Public Universities
1. Public Universities
Public universities have in-state and out-of-state tuition. As a tax-paying resident of a state, you will qualify for In-State tuition, which is about 1/3 the cost of what Out-of-State students pay. The University of Hawaii at Manoa, UH-West Oahu, UH-Hilo are examples of public universities in Hawaii. So if you are a resident of Hawaii, your will qualify for In-State Tuition. (There are specific requirements that need to be met in order to be classified as a Hawaii Resident for tuition purposes.)
Public universities have in-state and out-of-state tuition. As a tax-paying resident of a state, you will qualify for In-State tuition, which is about 1/3 the cost of what Out-of-State students pay. The University of Hawaii at Manoa, UH-West Oahu, UH-Hilo are examples of public universities in Hawaii. So if you are a resident of Hawaii, your will qualify for In-State Tuition. (There are specific requirements that need to be met in order to be classified as a Hawaii Resident for tuition purposes.)
2. Private Universities
2. Private Universities
Tuition at Private Universities are usually more expensive than State Universities. However, many Private Universities have Institutional grants and Merit Aid that are awarded to qualified students making the cost of attending more affordable.
Tuition at Private Universities are usually more expensive than State Universities. However, many Private Universities have Institutional grants and Merit Aid that are awarded to qualified students making the cost of attending more affordable.
3. Universities that meet full demonstrated need
3. Universities that meet full demonstrated need
Some schools are able to meet a family's financial need in full as determined by the FAFSA and CSS profile. For some families, this means that if their student is admitted, they could possibly attend for free. More information can be found HERE
Some schools are able to meet a family's financial need in full as determined by the FAFSA and CSS profile. For some families, this means that if their student is admitted, they could possibly attend for free. More information can be found HERE
4. WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange)Colleges
4. WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange)Colleges
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is an agreement among WICHE’s 16 member states and territories, through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide steep nonresident tuition savings for Western students. Through WUE, eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state, and pay no more than 150 percent of that institution’s resident tuition rate. More information can be found HERE
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is an agreement among WICHE’s 16 member states and territories, through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide steep nonresident tuition savings for Western students. Through WUE, eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state, and pay no more than 150 percent of that institution’s resident tuition rate. More information can be found HERE
Ways to pay for college
Ways to pay for college
1. Grants
1. Grants
2. Scholarships.
2. Scholarships.
There are thousands of scholarships out there from individual colleges, companies, nonprofits and community groups. More information on scholarships can be found HERE
There are thousands of scholarships out there from individual colleges, companies, nonprofits and community groups. More information on scholarships can be found HERE
3. Work-study jobs
3. Work-study jobs
These are part-time jobs on or nearby campus for eligible students, depending on their finances and the funding available at the school. You need to have submitted the FAFSA in order to qualify. Work-study jobs pay students directly, at least once a month. Undergrads earn hourly wages, but the amount you earn can't exceed your work-study award for the year. The amount should also be included in your financial aid award letter sent by the school.
These are part-time jobs on or nearby campus for eligible students, depending on their finances and the funding available at the school. You need to have submitted the FAFSA in order to qualify. Work-study jobs pay students directly, at least once a month. Undergrads earn hourly wages, but the amount you earn can't exceed your work-study award for the year. The amount should also be included in your financial aid award letter sent by the school.
4. Student Loans
4. Student Loans
Loans should be your last resort, but they're often inevitable if scholarships, grants and savings don't cover the entire bill. The typical family uses loans to cover 20% of the cost of college. You'll want to borrow money from the federal government before turning to a private lender because federal loans offers lower interest rates and more borrower protections. This is yet another reason to fill out the FAFSA. You won't be able to get a federal student loan if you didn't submit the form. But you should be able to borrow regardless of your family's income. First-year undergrads can borrow up to $5,500. Some students who demonstrate more financial need will be allowed to borrow subsidized loans, which won't accrue interest until after they graduate.
Loans should be your last resort, but they're often inevitable if scholarships, grants and savings don't cover the entire bill. The typical family uses loans to cover 20% of the cost of college. You'll want to borrow money from the federal government before turning to a private lender because federal loans offers lower interest rates and more borrower protections. This is yet another reason to fill out the FAFSA. You won't be able to get a federal student loan if you didn't submit the form. But you should be able to borrow regardless of your family's income. First-year undergrads can borrow up to $5,500. Some students who demonstrate more financial need will be allowed to borrow subsidized loans, which won't accrue interest until after they graduate.
Another type of federal student loan, called a PLUS loan, allows parents to borrow to help their child pay for college. PLUS loans require a credit check and come with a higher interest rate. The school will determine how much a parent can borrow, but the amount is supposed to cover the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you get.
Another type of federal student loan, called a PLUS loan, allows parents to borrow to help their child pay for college. PLUS loans require a credit check and come with a higher interest rate. The school will determine how much a parent can borrow, but the amount is supposed to cover the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you get.
5. Start at a Community College
5. Start at a Community College
It might be worth exploring enrolling in a community college before transferring to a four-year college. Tuition and fees at the average community college cost is about $3,520 a year. You can take most of the prerequisite courses for your major then transfer to the four-year college to complete major requirements.
It might be worth exploring enrolling in a community college before transferring to a four-year college. Tuition and fees at the average community college cost is about $3,520 a year. You can take most of the prerequisite courses for your major then transfer to the four-year college to complete major requirements.