How to Pay For Your College Tuition

Paying for college can be tough especially when the average cost of a college tuition is $35,000 a year or more. But there are ways to ease this financial burden and help get you the college education you desire.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet
• Last years tax info
• Parent's tax info, if applicable

Instructions

1. 

   Check out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website and complete an application to determine your financial need and get grants to help pay for college. You will need your previous years taxes and your parent's taxes as well if you are considered a dependent student (FAFSA helps you figure this out). The website for FAFSA is included in the resource link below.

2. 

   Find scholarships that will help you pay for your college tuition. There are many websites that you can browse to find college scholarships that fit your need. Check out the resource list below. You can also ask your school's enrollment adviser about the various scholarships that may exist at your college.

3. 

   Apply for subsidized (the government pays the interest while you're in school) and unsubsidized (you pay the interest, but can elect to defer payments until after graduation) student loans through a lender of your choice. You will have to pay these back, but they are put on student deferment until 6 months after you graduate from college. You do not need good credit to apply. Ask your enrollment adviser for more information.

4. 

   There are also private student loan lenders that offer college students extra money to attend school. Private student loans require good credit and are very hard to get without it. A co-signer may be needed to apply. Most can be deferred while you are in college, but not all, so choose wisely.

5. 

   Some employers also offer a tuition reimbursement program if your desired college degree will help you advance in their facility. Many require that you stay an extra year or more at their company when you graduate to pay back the tuition you borrowed. Ask your human resources coordinator for more information.