Are you thinking about enrolling in post-secondary education? Is the thought of graduating with high student loan debts deterring you?

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Fear not! There are alternatives to student loans to help pay for your education.

Make A Plan

The first step to avoiding student loans is to have a solid plan:

  • Research programs available in your area of interest — locally and internationally

  • Calculate the cost of tuition and other related fees and expenses

  • Set a budget,then strategize ways to save for and fund these expenses

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A debt-free degree may be difficult to achieve but it's possible!

It Pays To Save

Flaticon Icon Delaying your studies to save for tuition might work out to be cheaper than a loan. When you save, you earn the interest, but when you borrow, you pay the interest.

Consider a gap year instead of going straight to college or university.

Scholarships And Grants

Flaticon Icon These types of financial aid don't need to be repaid:

  • Grants are awarded based on financial need.

  • Scholarships are awarded based on merit for academic performance, athletic ability, or other talents.

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Check for aid at:

  • your institution's website, financial aid office, academic department, or admissions office.

  • government agencies.

  • scholarship websites.

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Increase your chances of qualifying for a grant or scholarship by:

  • starting the process early.

  • applying to many different scholarships.

  • following the instructions carefully .

Consider Community College

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Community colleges are a great option to consider because they:

  • are cheaper than 4-year colleges and universities.

  • have a more flexible schedule so you can work to help pay for your expenses.

  • give you the chance to explore career options if you're not quite sure what you want to do.

  • could be all you need to get qualified for the career path you're interested in.

Tuition Reimbursement

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Some companies finance their employees' tuition in return for their commitment to continue working with them.

If you're a working professional and plan to go back to school as a mature student, this could be the best option for you.

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Scenario

Jessica has worked at her company for one year in a junior position. She wants to return to school to advance her career. She knows that her company has a tuition reimbursement program but doesn't know the details.

To better understand her options, she plans on talking to her employer about the following topics:

A. Amount the company will cover

B. Eligibility for tuition reimbursement

C. Approved degree programs/coursework

D. Employee obligation after graduation

Quiz

Which topics should she consider?

Take Action

Now is a good time to start exploring a student loan alternative that can work for you.

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