Education beyond high school does have related costs. It is important to develop a budget, and to compare costs and financial aid options for programs that interest you. Plan ahead and make the most of your money.
In high school:
- Get involved in sports, clubs and activities that increase your eligibility for scholarships or special aid.
- Find competitive grants and scholarships you may qualify for, such as the Alaska Performance Scholarship, or the UA Scholars program. Work towards qualifying for them.
- Take the most rigorous courses available. Courses in high school are free, but you have to pay for any remedial courses you need in college. For maximum benefit, take AP classes and exams, or college courses subsidized by your school district to get college credit before you arrive on campus.
While preparing for college (in or out of high school)
- Apply for as many scholarships as possible. Scholarships are gift aid – you don’t have to pay them back.
- If you plan to attend college out of state, consider schools with exchange programs. For example, through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) you can attend an out-of-state school for 150% of resident tuition, which can be much less than non-resident tuition.
- If you’re still deciding on a career path, research career-specific loans or other programs that offer loan forgiveness or repayment after graduation. Careers that offer such programs include the military, health care, teaching (i.e. Teacher Education Loan or TEACH Grant), fisheries, and other public service fields.
In college:
- Make sure you’re in the right classes. Take placement tests and talk to an advisor before you register for classes. If you haven’t declared a major, talk to academic advisors for several majors you are considering.
- Take enough classes to graduate on time. In most cases, you need to take 15 credits per term to stay on track. Review the required coursework for your program of study with your advisor and calculate how many credits you need to take every semester.
- Try to keep a balance between difficult and easy classes every semester. This way, you are more likely to finish all classes successfully on the first attempt.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1 every year, starting with the year prior to beginning college. It’s easier than it looks – and free help is available.
- Consider accepting work-study aid if it's offered. With work-study, you generally work on campus and can arrange your schedule around your classes.
- If you have to borrow money for college, use low-cost federal loans first; then state loans. Private loans are usually more costly.
Still need more help paying for college?
- Consider a part-time on-campus job. On-campus employers are often more willing to work around your class schedule. Some jobs may even allow you to study during down time, or provide special cost benefits. For example, a resident advisor in a dormitory may get free or reduced housing.
- Buy used books online or from fellow students.
- Your student fees cover the cost of many extracurricular activities and entertainment. For example, don’t spend money off-campus to join a gym if you have free access to the school sports center.
- Don’t be lured in by offers from credit card companies! If you do choose to open an account, pay off the balance in full every month. Being smart with your finances makes a big difference.
For even more ideas, check out College Scholarship ways to save money while in college.