Someone else can pay for college

If unemployment rates and budget cuts have you down, there are still options for students who need someone else to foot their college bills.

Students can work their way through college, obtain a waiver or choose an in-demand field. Find out more about these and other ways to attend college without paying.

Grants and scholarships

The perennial way of eliminating college costs is still available. To up your odds, Doug Hewitt, co-author of “Free College Resource Book,” advises students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and then focus on local prizes.

“There are more scholarships you’ll qualify for in your home state than nationally,” says Hewitt. “Look at local organizations and talk to your high school (guidance) counselor.” Start early, too. While students usually don’t start scholarship hunting until senior year, awards are available for all high school grade levels.

Give service to your country

The U.S. Coast Guard, Air Force, Military, Merchant Marine and Naval Academies offer free rides to students who serve after college, but cash is also available through ROTC programs at their home institutions.

Service requirements vary but all require students to complete military training on campus and commit to up to 10 years of service. Students leave with training, a guaranteed job and opportunities for more free education.
AmeriCorps, a national service organization that offers education awards in exchange for community work, provides a $5,550 education award for each full year of service. Members also receive a living stipend while serving in the program.

Work for the school

Schools charge students tuition, but they usually don’t for employees. “This is a great option, especially for older students with job experience,” says Reyna Gobel, author of “Graduation Debt.” “If you’re 18, you might not qualify for a job that provides (tuition) benefits.”

Schools typically provide benefits for full-time workers and sometimes require a certain level of experience, Gobel says. Future students can find out about their school’s policy by calling the admissions office.

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