College is not Cheap
College is a very important milestone in your life. You go to elementary school, then middle school, then high school, then college. The problem is that unlike all education up through high school, college isn’t free. In fact, it has gotten very expensive.
Your parents may or may not have set up a college fund for you, but ultimately, most students will have to pay a significant amount themselves.
What’s the problem, I can just take out loans, right?
Yes, this is true, but it’s a lot harder to pay off $100,000 after college than it is to pay off $20,000 or less.
I think the best way to save money on college is by going to a cheap school. No, I guess that’s not a good way to describe it. Not a cheap school, but a state school. Most private schools can cost up to $30,000 or $40,000 a year. I found it completely unnecessary to go to a school that expensive. I go to a state school.
Unless you are a genius or your career path isn’t offered at any state schools, there is no point in going to an expensive private college.
A lot of people may think that a state school is cheap because they aren’t very good. On the contrary, state schools are hard to get into. They are just as good if not better than most private schools, besides ivy league maybe, they’re just cheaper. They are only cheaper because the state pays for them instead of you. You still have to pay, just not nearly as much.
In addition to going to a state school, you can also save a lot by commuting. Sure, maybe you’re tired of living at home and you want to go be independent. Honestly, I don’t think living on a college campus, summer camp style, is all that great. As long as you and your parents have an understanding of the rules between you, you might as well save $10,000 a year. In fact, a lot of people that go away to college end up in so much debt that they have to move back home anyway, whereas the ones that stayed at home may have even saved money and are able to move out as soon as they get a job.
College is important, but it’s only four years of your life. Wouldn’t you rather live a debt free life and have all the freedom you want as soon as you graduate than share a room with someone you don’t like for four years and eat cafeteria food you got sick of after the first month?
To me, college is only for an education. I’ve had many teachers that tried to tell me in high school that college was going to be a big experience about finding myself and growing up, but I don’t buy into the hype. But that’s just me. Maybe all this stuff is very important to you. I guess I can get over that for the time being.
Besides these ideas and scholarships teens often overlook a great way to earn money for college, by saving.
As soon as you start making money, you should put a set percentage to the side just for school. Even if you just save enough to pay for books, and supplies, that’s a good chunk.
Another ideal time to save for college, besides in high school, is over summer break. Unless you are taking summer classes, you should take advantage of this time and save your money. Work full time, if possible, and relieve some of the burden for later on. Or, if it’s too much to work while you’re in college, you can use the money you save over the summer to pay for school.
If you don’t share my views about college, or even if you do, saving money will help. Frivolous spending will get you no where. Remember, everyone knows college students are always broke, but you don’t have to be. Save now.
