| College Debt - how to avoid it, and how to get out | | | | of duty." The time commitment ranges from 10-12 |
| of it | | | | months to 8 years. |
| Because most college students are using loans to | | | | Living wisely |
| finance their college education, the debt level of | | | | The chances to make wise decisions and avoid debt |
| recent graduates is rising rapidly. On average, | | | | continue into your college years. |
| students graduate owing $12,000-$16,000 in student | | | | Start out in a community college |
| loans and another $2,000 in credit card debt. Is this | | | | Most towns and cities have two-year community |
| the price you have to pay for higher education, or | | | | colleges where you can take your basic courses at |
| can you avoid college debt in the first place? | | | | less cost than at a four-year college or university. |
| The secret to avoiding college debt is to plan wisely | | | | Just investigate to make sure your community |
| and take advantage of the many opportunities to | | | | college credits will transfer. |
| reduce college costs before and during your college | | | | Take advantage of Work-Study programs |
| years. | | | | If you qualify for the federal work-study program, |
| Planning ahead | | | | take advantage of it! You will have an on-campus |
| You can avoid college debt by making wise high | | | | job, possibly in your field of study. |
| school decisions: | | | | Or work for the school |
| Take advanced placement classes | | | | Many colleges give discounted or free tuition to |
| Take all the advanced placement classes you can in | | | | employees and their family members. There are lots |
| high school--every AP exam you pass means one | | | | of non-teaching jobs on campus that you can apply |
| less class you need to take in college. | | | | for. |
| Keep your grades up | | | | Live frugally |
| Scholarships can be competitive, and even the grades | | | | Live at home or get a roommate. Avoid expensive |
| you make early in your high school years can mean | | | | spring break trips. Buy used textbooks, and sell your |
| the difference in winning or losing. Don't make the | | | | books at the end of the semester. |
| mistake of thinking you can save the hard work for | | | | I already have a loan. Now what? |
| your junior and senior years! | | | | If you have a federal student loan, it is possible to |
| Stay involved | | | | have your loan debt discharged (canceled) or |
| Scholarships also may depend on community and | | | | reduced, under certain specific circumstances: |
| school involvement. | | | | You die or become totally and permanently disabled |
| Search for scholarships and grants | | | | Your school closed before you could complete your |
| Scholarships and grants are the best money source | | | | program |
| for college because it is money that doesn't have to | | | | You work in certain designated public school service |
| be repaid. To find out about grants and scholarships, | | | | professions (such as teaching in a low-income school) |
| visit your high school career counselor and the | | | | You file for bankruptcy (only if the bankruptcy court |
| Financial Aid Office of your intended college. You can | | | | rules that repayment would cause undue hardship.) |
| also search the internet for scholarships and grants. | | | | As you can see, there are many steps to avoiding or |
| Investigate public service options | | | | relieving college debt. To best manage your debt it is |
| The United States Military, National Health Service | | | | wise to implement a combination of the strategies |
| Corps, and Americorps will give you money for your | | | | listed above that work best for you. |
| education in exchange for your signing up for a "tour | | | | |