Don't Give Up Quite Yet

One of the biggest expenses for parents and students during this generation is the overbearing, rising cost of annual college tuition.  When you feel as if all hope is lost in figuring out how to pay for college, you may not need to worry anymore, because there are indeed ways to cut and avoid high college costs.

1) Use a net price calculator.

These calculators can give parents a personal estimate as to how much a certain college will end up costing them.  By using a net price calculator before applying to a school, students can avoid the more expensive colleges.

2) Check the four year graduation rates.

Students should not assume that they will graduate in a four year time period.  It is necessary to plan ahead to make sure you can pay for the number of years you will most likely be in school.  If the cost of  over four years is not going to be attainable, then tweak your plan and schedule in order for you to be able to get the education you need in a shorter amount of time.

3) Determine how much you will be expected to pay for one year.

Make sure you know how much one year tuition will cost for a specific college, not basing it right away on what you can afford.  Know your facts first before you eliminate any schools.

4) Don't over-borrow.

It is important to attempt to only borrow through federal Stafford loans, low-interest loans for students based on their financial needs, saving them large sums of the debt in the long run.


The more you know about the overall, and hidden, costs of college, the easier it is to decide which college to attend and how to handle your money and use it wisely.
What do you feel will help you cut the costs of college to the best extent?



http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-57546751/4-ways-to-cut-college-costs/
"4 Ways to Cut College Costs"
Lynn O'Shaughnessy is a best-selling author, consultant, and speaker on issues that parents with children going to college face.

Picture Source: http://www.minotstateu.edu/finaid/net_calc.shtml