Today’s national conversation about college often begins and ends with one dreaded word: debt. Every year, bright high schoolers graduate and should be excited for the next phase of life, but are riddled with anxiety about how they’re going to afford their college educations.

It’s not hard to see why: the average annual undergraduate tuition, fees, and room are $16,757 at public institutions, $43,065 at private nonprofit institutions, and $23,776 at private for-profit institutions, according to a 2018 Department of Education study.

With such a hefty price tag for a degree, nobody would blame you for breaking into a cold sweat when you think about how you’re going to pay for your own college education or, if you’re a parent, what kind of help you can give your kids.

Though costs are high, rest assured that there are still funding options and ways to pay for college. Take a look at these tips on funding, budgeting during the semester and finding a side job that won’t conflict with college classes and activities.

Get on top of the scholarships and grant game

Scholarships, grants and financial aid are three sources of funding you don’t need to pay back. Grants and scholarships are usually based on scholastic or athletic performance, while financial aid is based on your parents’ income. Start compiling funding options as early as you can in the application process and don’t delay completing your federal financial aid application (FAFSA).

Every college will have scholarships for entering freshmen, as well as department and program-specific awards for new and continuing students. Start by creating a list of the scholarships available to you and their application deadlines. You’ll also want to check out scholarships listed in national databases.

If you are accepted to multiple schools, make sure to compare funding packages, paying special attention to the requirements for keeping the scholarships. If your dream school is going to land you in debt for decades, consider going for your second choice or deferring for a year to work and save.

Create a detailed budget

No matter how much funding you end up getting, striking out on your own for the first time means having to learn how to balance spending and saving. Little purchases add up over time, so make a budget so you can see where your money is going.

You can use a variety of budget calculators on the internet or through your online banking program, or you can set up a spreadsheet to break down money coming in and out.

Take advantage of work-study programs

Picking up a side hustle, like working in a cafe or store, is a good way to make extra money, but the problem for many students is that commuting to and from work costs more time and gas money than it’s worth.

To address this issue, many universities take part in the federal work-study program. This program provides undergraduates jobs on university campuses, guarantees a minimum wage per hour, provides some time for studying on the job and provides the opportunity for students to add real work experience to their resumes.

If your school doesn’t offer work-study or you’re not eligible, talk to your college picks about what other work opportunities are on campus and if the school provides credit for paid internships at local businesses (for extra cash and college credits!).

Choose a university committed to keeping education affordable

Selecting a university that provides financial help and affordable, quality education can keep you from going broke or having to grapple with debt for decades into the future.

Weber State University is committed to providing quality education with low debt by combining low cost, four-year academic scholarships, and special summer funding to help students make their dreams happen with little-to-no debt.

To learn more about undergraduate funding opportunities, contact Weber State University today.

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