If God has led you to pursue your education in college or you feel as if He is preparing you for college in the future, He will provide you with a way to pay for it: “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Perhaps the most important thing, then, is merely being open to the numerous ways God could provide. I was able to get a couple scholarships, and I worked part-time throughout school. Trevor took part in an assistantship program that paid for his tuition in exchange for work on campus. We know someone who spent two years after high school working full-time to save up enough money to finish all of his college degree without having to work while he studied. Someone else we know received government grants based on income. There are so many avenues to pay for college. Before you resign yourself to taking out astronomical loans, ask God to provide for you, spend some time researching your college, community, and government opportunities, and get creative!
Here are a few starting points for you:
– Visit with your high school guidance counselor or your college’s financial aid advisor. Learn about need-based and merit-based financial aid, and find out how to apply for different kinds of scholarships through your college. Also ask about community-based scholarships and financial awards you could apply for. Take advantage of others’ wisdom!
– Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This is the FREE application for federal, state, and college aid that everyone should fill out. You can get a paper version or fill it out online at fafsa.ed.gov. If you’re in high school, fill it out as soon as possible after January 1 of your senior year, and if already in college, fill it out every year to be eligible for ongoing financial aid. You’ll have to report financial info for both you and your parents, so you’ll need your current tax returns and your Social Security Numbers. It might seem somewhat tedious, but it puts you in the running for Federal Pell Grants (that don’t have to be paid back), Federal Work-Study programs, and Federal Perkins, Stafford, and PLUS Loans (low-interest loans).
– Ask an advisor on your campus about Work-Study and Graduate Assistantships. These are great programs that can help you pay for college in exchange for your work on campus. If you live on campus, you won’t have to worry about a commute to your job, and even for those that don’t live on campus, it’s a beneficial opportunity to meet professors and staff on campus, expand your skills, and build your resume.
– Go job-hunting, and save your money! Studies have shown that students who work part-time through school actually do better because they are forced to stay organized and manage their time wisely. If you can, try to look for a job that relates in some way to something you’re interested in or one that can teach you some new skills. These kinds of jobs will look better to future employers and keep you focused while you learn. If you’re working full-time, be sure to check with your academic advisor about getting internship credit from your job toward your degree, and check with your boss to see if any company programs exist to help employees finish their degrees. Sometimes a company will help their employees with their tuition in exchange for a commitment to continue working with that company.
http://www.christiancollegeguide.net/payingforcollege/2008/7.27.html