One of the most damaging aspects of our current economic recession is that families are being led to believe that they can not afford the cost of college.
In fact, the opposite is true.
Both traditional colleges and colleges offering online degrees are doing their best to minimize costs to students. Some have locked in current tuition and fee levels. Others are limiting increases to cover inflation. Some states have even passed laws to limit costs at their colleges and universities.
In addition, because many families find their financial status tenuous, colleges are increasing their scholarship fundraising efforts in order to better assist them. And, as a result, scholarship donations are up significantly at many colleges and universities.
The federal government is also stepping up to help students, with increases in several grant and student loan programs. Online college students also now qualify for financial aid not available to them in the past. That change makes it easier than ever for working adults to continue their educations.
Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, and many other states also help college students by offering need-based and/or academic achievement scholarships. Some also allow out-of-state students to attend their colleges and universities for in-state tuition and fees (a big saving).
Tuition installment plans, once offered at only the highest-priced colleges, are now much more widely available. Most include free insurance that will cover college costs in the event of a parent’s death. And, there are no origination or interest charges for the plans.
With help from college admissions and financial aid counselors, and the many online scholarship search sites, virtually anyone can get the help they need to make college possible. Don’t believe otherwise.
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