How Do I Pay For College Without My Parents’ Help

A recent survey conducted by HCM Strategies, Edge Research, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation found that 38 percent of students don’t enroll in college or worse, drop out, simply because they live in fear of its cost and the financial debt they’ll collect. Even with your parent’s support, paying for college will be a momentous financial undertaking. Therefore, paying for it entirely on your own may seem impossible, but many students successfully do it. Here are some ways you can pay for college without your parents’ help and hopefully, without too much pressure and stress.

If your high school grades are excellent, your college may offer various public and private grants and scholarships. A few academic scholarships may even cover some or all of your undergraduate degree costs. Regardless of your GPA, apply for scholarships and grants anyway because they are an effective way to reduce your overall college costs. Over time, smaller grants can accumulate and be beneficial, making the research and application process worthwhile. The good news is that you can even start searching for them while you’re in high school and continue throughout college.

Possibly the best way to get funding to cover books, room and board, miscellaneous supplies, and other living expenses on top of your college tuition. FAFSA® is usually awarded based on financial need and in some circumstances merit-based. As a result, it features a broad range of financial help for students to better meet their unique educational needs and standards, It includes not only grants and scholarships but also federal student loans and work-study programs. You can apply for student aid at http://www.studentaid.gov, but it's important to do it as soon as possible because it's first-come, first-served and deadlines are different for each school.

While working and going to class might sound like a challenge, it is a worthwhile way to pay for your education. If you know you’ll need financial help for students early on, you may even choose to work before going to school and during. Not only will it reduce the need for large student loans, but it will also generate additional income for living expenses. Whether you get a part-time or full-time job is up to you, as long as it allows you time for your studies.

Based on your career goal, consider taking another path to lower your school expenses, especially if you want to get there without your parents’ help. If you don’t want to take out a loan or find enough financial help for students, why not attend community college first, then transfer to a four-year college? 61% of students enter a 2- or 4-year program, but 12% go into career training programs. While still in high school, look into alternative post-secondary education options to avoid debt altogether. There are colleges that focus on grants, scholarships, and work-study programs to help you graduate without debt.

Yes, it will be a challenge to pay for college without your parents’ help, especially if you’ve always depended on them. If this is your problem, then it’s best to plan early (with Empowerly’s assistance) and consider the most affordable option that won’t put you in debt. The financial help for students tips above is only the tip of the iceberg. There are many more resources to help you plan to pay for college on your own. They include people like your high school guidance counselor to your college’s financial aid office. You are not alone!

For families or graduates already managing credit card balances or other unsecured debts while planning for college expenses, organizations like Freedom Debt Relief provide debt relief programs that may help reduce financial strain and create a clearer path forward.