How Did You Pay For College?
@gtargirl (5376)
United States
January 11, 2010 1:49pm CST
Rich parents? Scholarships and financial aid? Or did you work your way through? And if you are parents with college bound kids, are you prepared to pay for some or all of it?
I have one child working her way through school . . . paying off her own student loans while she's still in school. And I have one ready to go next year. The latter will be a little easier as the school has their own private scholarships plus financial aid that isn't from our "broke" USA government. By the way if you would like to vote for my son's video entry for a full scholarship you can do so by voting here: http://fullride.mi.edu/contest.php?sid=177&aid=58529&mid=35425&mtype=2 .
Nice huh? It's the kids way of trying to get college funds for themselves. You have to commend all of them for trying. How did you pay for college?
http://fullride.mi.edu/contest.php?sid=177&aid=58529&mid=35425&mtype=2
6 people like this
25 responses
@veromar (1453)
• Argentina
11 Jan 10
I attended "The School of the Ozarks", now called "The College of the Ozarks". (http://www.cofo.edu/) It's a work-your-way-through school. Every student there is required to work 20 hrs. a week at a campus job. That, in turn, covers tuition, room and board. I only needed to come up with the money to pay for books and accidentals, which I did by having an off-campus job. The job I held on campus led me to my career, which was probably the biggest benefit I received. It's open to people from all over the world but has, or did have, a 5 year waiting period. I didn't want to owe anybody anything because of my desire for higher education. CofO afforded me the ability to do that. I graduated without the need to repay loans or my parents.
@veromar (1453)
• Argentina
14 Jan 10
Yes, they do. As a matter of fact, I was a music major my first year or so there. They have an excellent music program. Class sizes are generally pretty small too....about 20-25 people so you get a lot of individual instruction. It's a great school and an awesome way to get an education at little or no cost. You can check out the link I provide in my original response. It'll take you to their home page.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Jan 10
I paid for everything except for the year I studied in Germany. That year my dad paid for part of it, I paid for part of it and the rest was covered by student loans that I paid back later.
I'll save the e-mail as I can't get into that site from work...
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
14 Jan 10
Not so tough. Tuition at Cal State was about $90 a semester back then...
@rosey19 (951)
• Philippines
12 Jan 10
I paid my tuition for college by working as a student assistant in the school where I was studying. My parents only support me for some finances like allowance, projects and for my personal needs. In that way I was able to finished my degree successfully and at the same time one way of helping my parents to lighten up the budget. I learned a lot from what I was doing and builds up my confidence in dealing with the reality of work.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
14 Jan 10
I've always thought it was a great idea to have a job on campus. I'm hoping my son will look into that, but he does like his off campus job so he might not think about it. It would make me feel much safer to have him work on school grounds.
@Ladyslipper (1327)
• Philippines
12 Jan 10
My tuition fee and allowance all came from my parents. We are not rich though. We belong to what you can consider a middle class family. My parents are hardworking people. You can say that they also have pride, too much pride that they did not allow all three of us to support our own schooling. My father does not want us to work while we are studying. Luckily, all three of us (my brother, me and younger sister) were able to graduate in college. I graduated in a premiere state university in our country. My brother is now a Civil Engineer and my sister graduated as Nurse in a Private Catholic school. However, when I was still in college I wanted to try working while I am studying since some of my classmates and friends are working student. However, my father does not want me to do so.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
14 Jan 10
Well, those are generous parents. I guess there's always time for work after you graduate.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
12 Jan 10
Me too, my friend. I know it will all be worth it in the end. 
@tingtinggu (40)
• China
12 Jan 10
I can't pay for College by myself. My parents pay much of it, and I received the scholarships and sometimes partime job.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
12 Jan 10
A Junior College isn't bad, financially. But one would probably still need a job to pay for that . . . it's doable. 
@marketing07 (6266)
• South Korea
12 Jan 10
im a working student when i was on my college days..i perfer to to pays my own tuition fees but now im already a mother, i get an educational insurance for my kids...goodluck for your kids..
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
14 Jan 10
Thanks. I don't think I've ever heard of and educational insurance.
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
31 Jan 10
Hello my friend gtargirl Ji,
I fully undersatnd these days paren's difficulties. In our case, we bore total expenses without anyone's assisstance, only my younger son had some meritorious award and was in reciept of some scholarship. But, recently, I have been telling everyone to take loan from banks and once child gets employed he/she will bear EMI from his/her salary. In yiour case, your son can mangage himself. You are Lucky person. My hubby believes, education of all children must go on in anyfamil, even at the cost of one time meal per day in any family, provided, tehre is a ood student, who wants to learn and get proper education.
May God bless You and have a great time.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
11 Jan 10
Saving money helped a great deal I think. Also, the fact that I was fortunate enough to get some financial aid cushioned the blow. In fact, there were times where I got a surplus of financial aid and actually got a check from the school. So that was nice. I just put that back in the bank towards the next bill. No need to delve into my own money, when the school is giving me a leg up.
1 person likes this
@olisaur (1922)
• United States
11 Jan 10
I am currently in college- my second semester starts in about a week. I have been lucky enough to get a grant that covers my tuition and fees and pay for a fraction of my supplies (books, gas, etc). I have been RELYING on that money to get me through the year. I have been looking for a job for over 15 months now, and I have not been able to get hired anywhere...T~T
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
14 Jan 10
Thank goodness for that grant, huh? Hope you find a job olisaur!
@PastorP (1170)
• United States
11 Jan 10
Hi gtargirl.
Neither me nor my parents were rich, and I had no grants or scholarships. However, I took all my money out of savings to pay for my first half of the year. I guess when my parents saw that , they pitched in too. I had a job on the side and paid what I could with that. It was a Bible institute and later became a college. They notified me of their new status and said I would just need 3 more credits for my degree. Dorcas (my wife) and I paid for that.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
14 Jan 10
A little bit from here and there helps. Your wife has a beautiful name by the way.
@AmandaMBF (284)
• Brazil
11 Jan 10
I can't pay a college!!!!!! I studied all my life in particular schools that here in Brazil is far better than public schools!!! But I ever had scolarships!!!!!!! So I need to try to enter in a public university that here in Brazil is far better than particular!?!?!?!?! I can't understand this... The elementary and high public shcools is very bad the public universities is very good!!!!!!!
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
12 Jan 10
It seems to happen that way here too. But each college has its specialty.
@levilucas03 (4)
•
12 Jan 10
the best way to pay for colledge is EMA,for 16+ people however if you dont you can organise with your head of county and see if sponsership companies will help you finacially has been done
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
12 Jan 10
I didnt go.
am sure I would have had to help parents get me thru if I had.
Not sure if my brother did or not but my sister did for several years but she isnt putting her learning to work for her she is now works in a photo shop and learning all about that.
and she teaches music.
Great drums wish I could have heard what he was listening too hope he wins.
@Buchi_bulla (8298)
• India
12 Jan 10
I got scholarship even when I was in school. Then in college, I got some educational scholarship for merit students. Since I secured more marks in School, they gave me that. Later I finished my graduation and part of post graduation from my own funds.
@vipulchawla (2220)
• India
12 Jan 10
Well, I was fortunate enough not tow ork for earning the fees of my college. My parents had supported my education very well. My father paid the fees for the first 2 years of my college and then it was my brother who supported my education for the next two years. And today I feel proud to earn for my family.
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
12 Jan 10
I wish I had been able to finish. For the time I went, I used grant money. Pell for one. I have set up college funds for both of my kids. Plus, each has a Gerber policy. That can be put toward tuition when the time comes. My kids are 6 &1 so I have some time.
@vinslounge (1295)
• India
12 Jan 10
I just completed my studies and i took bank loan for my studies. I underwent Engineering course for four years and the national bank in my country loaned me and now I have successfully repaid the loan in a span of 9 months and I am planning to puruse with my masters course after working for a couple of year or two so that I can save some money and plan for the future. Have a great day and happy Mylotting. Cheers:-)
