If you’ve read this book by Robert Kiyosaki, “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” you will realize that getting a college education, landing a 9-5 job, and then climbing the corporate ladder is not the most effective way to get rich.
However, this does not mean that a college education is getting cheaper, just because the rat race is no longer in vogue among the younger generations. In fact, it cost a decent amount of money that requires financial planning from the birth of the child.
Between the costs of tuition, books, room and board, and school service fees, the total bill can add up quickly. However, there are ways to get reduced or even free tuition for your college education.
Sign up for scholarships
This is obvious, but you will be surprised that many students do not apply for scholarships. There are many scholarships available, and while good grades are a must, you don’t have to be the top student in your class. Check with your high school counselor or college academic advisor for application criteria.
Get free tuition
Some states offer free tuition for bright students from low-income families so they can attend college. In New Jersey, you may be eligible for free tuition at your community college if you are in the top twenty percent of your high school class. Just do a little research online and see what’s available.
Starting in 2008, Stanford University will no longer charge tuition fees to students whose parents earn less than $ 100,000 a year. Additionally, all room and board fees will not apply to students whose families earn less than $ 60,000 per year. The program also eliminates the need for student loans.
In 2008, MIT also announced plans to offer free tuition for those whose families earn less than $ 75,000 a year.
Other ways to get free tuition include:
1. Employee benefits
Human resources are one of the most important assets of a company, therefore, many employers focus on retraining and improving the skills of their workers so that they are more productive and gain a competitive advantage.
If you want to advance your education, there is usually a partial or full refund, especially for tuition classes related to your job description.
To qualify, you will generally need to earn a passing grade of no less than a “C”. Check with your employer for the terms of the tuition reimbursement policy.
For school employees (in colleges and universities), there are generally benefits such as reduced or free tuition. In some cases, this extends to members of the immediate family. This could be one more incentive to work as a college volunteer helper for the sake of your children.
2. GI Veterans
If you are a veteran of the United States armed forces, you may be eligible for free tuition that includes college courses, job training, certification exams, and much more.
3. Try out of a class
This means that you have to take a class exam which is usually cheaper (about a third) than paying for the entire class. However, you must have a thorough knowledge of the subject and it is at the discretion of the university. You have to convince them with your resume and reasons.
Obtaining free tuition is not an impossible task. There are options available, but it comes down to being creative, proactive, and persistent. For saving the exorbitant cost of between $ 25,000 and $ 80,000, I think the effort is fine.
