There's no getting around it: For many students, college is expensive. The average estimated cost of college is $28,840 per year for in-state students at a four-year public school, and up to $60,420 per year for private colleges, according to 2023 College Board data.
If you don’t have this kind of money saved, paying for college might feel impossible. But don’t worry — you have plenty of options that could help. Here's how to pay for college without loans.
1. Search for scholarships
Potential savings: $100 up to a full ride
Scholarships are a great place to start when it comes to paying for college, mainly because they don’t have to be paid back. A wide variety of scholarships are available for almost every type of student, ranging from $100 to a full ride that could cover most, or even all, of your college expenses.
The requirements to get a scholarship will vary depending on who is offering it. But many scholarships may consider the following:
- Test scores (such as the ACT or SAT)
- Interests and skills (such as showing leadership or having volunteer experience)
- Letters of recommendation (from a teacher, manager, or other mentor)
- Personal essay that illustrates your interests and goals for the future
- Grades or class ranking (possibly both)
You might find scholarships offered by local and national businesses, nonprofit organizations, and even your own school. There’s no limit to how many scholarships you can get, so it’s a good idea to apply for as many as you possibly can.
Students may qualify for a scholarship based on academic merit, athletic skill, financial need, demographic data, or other criteria. Most scholarships require an application, which may include essays, among other requirements.
2. Apply for financial aid and grants
Potential savings: Varies (but could cover all college costs)
If you’ve exhausted your scholarship search, applying for federal financial aid and college grants should be your next step. Like scholarships, grants generally don’t have to be repaid. Depending on the cost of the school you attend, your financial aid and grants could add up to the full cost of attendance.
Several types of federal grants are available that you might be eligible for. For example, if you’re an undergraduate student with financial need, you might qualify for a Pell Grant. In the 2023-24 academic year, the maximum Pell Grant award is $7,395.
To apply for federal aid and determine your eligibility, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information you provide in the FAFSA is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is the estimated amount your family can reasonably afford for pay your education. Your EFC, year in school, enrollment status, dependency status, and school’s cost of attendance will determine the aid you qualify for.
After you submit the FAFSA, your school will send you a financial aid award letter detailing what aid is available to you. You can then choose which options you’d like to accept, such as grants and federal student loans.
Learn More: How Does the FAFSA Work?
3. Consider community college or trade school first
Potential savings: Varies
You might consider going to a community college or trade school before attending a public university. For starters, you can typically take general education courses that will transfer over, allowing you to pay less for courses that you might take at a larger college. Also, trade schools typically cost less and take less time than a traditional four-year college degree.
The average total cost of attendance at a community college during the 2023-24 academic year is estimated to be $19,860, according to College Board — which is much less than $28,840 per year for a four-year public school or $60,420 per year for a four-year private school. In addition, about 30 states offer free or discounted community college options for residents.
4. Negotiate with your school
Potential savings: Varies
If you don’t have enough financial aid to cover your education costs, you might be able to negotiate with your school for more. For example, if you can show larger financial aid offers from other schools, your school may be willing to increase your financial aid.
You might also formally appeal your financial aid offer by requesting a professional judgement. Your school's financial aid administrator may revise your aid offer if special circumstances have affected your family's financial situation. These judgements are considered on a case-by-case basis, but acceptable reasons may include the death of a parent or spouse, significant medical expenses, or a recent drop in income.
While your school might not be willing or able to offer you more aid, it’s always worth asking.
5. Get a work-study job
Potential savings: Depends on pay and hours worked
Federal work-study is a type of financial aid where you work a part-time job while enrolled in school to help pay for your education. If you’re a part-time or full-time undergraduate, graduate, or professional student with financial need, you could be eligible for a work-study job. You’ll need to fill out the FAFSA to apply.
Although a work-study position might not pay much, every dollar helps when it comes to paying for college. Work-study jobs pay at least the federal minimum wage, though some schools might offer more.
6. Cut your housing costs
Potential savings: Varies
On top of tuition and fees, you might have to cover several other expenses while attending school, such as housing, transportation, and groceries. But you can also find ways to trim or even avoid these costs.
For example: The average cost of on-campus living for the 2023-24 academic year is $12,770 for four-year public schools and $14,650 for four-year private schools, according to the College Board. If you’re able to live at home or share an off-campus apartment with roommates, you could save thousands of dollars on your living expenses. Just keep in mind that if you live at home or off-campus, you might need to pay for transportation or other expenses.
7. Attend a tuition-free college or university
Potential savings: Up to the total cost of your attendance
You might be surprised to learn that several schools around the U.S. offer free tuition to admitted students. Depending on the school, you may have to meet certain eligibility requirements to receive a free education, though.
For example, some tuition-free colleges require you to live in a certain region or come from a low-income family. Other schools require on-campus work or service during your studies or after you graduate. Be sure to do your research before applying to these programs.
8. Research income-share agreements
Potential savings: Varies
An income-share agreement (ISA) is a type of student loan that provides you with funding for your education in exchange for a percentage of your future income for a fixed period of time. This amount is usually based on your college major and your projected salary after graduating.
ISAs are different from student loans in that they don’t accrue interest. However, many students risk paying back more than they initially borrowed, depending on the terms of their ISA. You’ll want to carefully review and understand the specifics of the agreement, including the income percentage and the repayment timeline, before moving forward with this option.
Important:
It’s usually a good idea to exhaust all federal student loans available to you before entering into an income-share agreement.
9. Crowdfund from friends and family
Potential savings: Varies
Before taking out student loans, consider crowdfunding from your friends and family to help pay for college. With crowdfunding, you can ask your network to invest in your future without having to ask one single person to provide a large sum of money. Plus, people usually appreciate the chance to contribute directly to your academic success.
Platforms like GoFundMe and Fundly can help you streamline the crowdfunding process and make it easy to track your progress. There are also various education-specific crowdfunding platforms worth checking out, like Upstart or ScholarMatch.
10. Find alternative funding sources
Potential savings: Varies
You might want to also consider alternative funding sources for your education, including employer assistance programs and tuition assistance from the military if you’re on active duty.
- Employer assistance: Some employers — including Starbucks, Apple, and UPS — offer tuition reimbursement for employees who meet certain criteria, which could be a great benefit to take advantage of.
- Military tuition assistance: Some colleges offer tuition assistance to active-duty military service members, Reservists, and members of the National Guard. Before seeking this benefit from your college, it’s best to explore your options from your arm of the military. Each one has its own eligibility criteria, required obligations, and application process.
11. See if you qualify as an independent student
Potential savings: Up to your school’s cost of attendance, minus other financial aid (depending on financial need, year in school, and type of loan)
If you need to borrow money for school, federal student loans are generally a good place to start. What’s more, registering for the FAFSA as an independent student can be a strategic move to receive even more financial aid. This aid can include grants, work-study opportunities, and subsidized loans. However, you must meet certain criteria to be considered an independent student.
Unlike dependent students, independent students don’t have to provide their parent’s financial information on the FAFSA, which usually impacts the total amount of financial aid you’re granted. Instead, the FAFSA only looks at your financial situation as an independent student, which can potentially increase your eligibility for need-based aid.
For the 2023-24 award year, you’ll need to meet at least one of the following requirements to be considered an independent student:
- Be born before Jan. 1, 2000
- Be married
- Be a graduate or professional student
- Be a veteran
- Be a member of the armed forces
- Be an orphan or ward of the court
- Have legal dependents other than a spouse
- Be an emancipated minor
- Be someone who is homeless (or at risk)
12. If all else fails, consider borrowing for school
Potential savings: Up to your school’s cost of attendance (depending on the lender)
Once you’ve exhausted your scholarship, grant, and federal loan options, private student loans could be a good choice if you need additional funds. You can use private student loans for a variety of expenses, including tuition, books, and housing, and more.
Keep in mind that unlike most federal student loans, you’ll need to pass a credit check to qualify for a private student loan. If you aren’t eligible on your own, adding a student loan cosigner with good credit to your application could help you get approved. Even if you don’t need a cosigner to qualify for a private student loan, having one could get you a lower interest rate than you’d get on your own.
If you decide to take out a private student loan, be sure to consider as many lenders as you can to find a loan that fits your needs.
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