How to Go to College Without Student Loans

Video Transcript

"Hello, I'm Cheri Ashwood. I'm a guidance counselor, and today I'm going to tell you how to go to college without a student loan. The easiest way to do this would be to have well-to-do parents that can afford to foot your whole college education. Winning your state lottery may also benefit you, but if you haven't been fortunate enough to have these things befall your life, possibly saving money like a bandit from the time you were born, if you haven't been able to do any of these things you still have a couple of options. Going to college is still a very viable option for you. I would say be an academic beast. Work as hard as you can in school, get the highest grades, be competitive. You will most certainly be offered academic scholarships based on your academic achievement. You may also be an athletic beast, and work hard and play hard, and if a school has a reputation in the sport that you have chosen to excel in you will more than likely be offered an athletic scholarship. There are also several federal government scholarships and grants based on financial need. If you were not lucky enough to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth the government may offer you a few dollars to help pay for your college education. There are also private organizations. Check your local guidance counselor's office, or college and university financial aid offices. There are hundreds of scholarship opportunities and grant opportunities. Some may require you to write essays or fulfill different requirements, but you can definitely go to college without taking out a loan. I'm Cheri Ashwood. I'm a guidance counselor, and your future starts today."