Trying to figure out how to pay all the expenses that can go along with going to college in Philadelphia might require a degree on its own. There are ways for students to get through the four years of apartment living and college going with minimal bumps and bruises financially. They all take a little planning and effort though. Don’t expect education financing to be a complete breeze. Financing the actual cost of tuition and books should be the first concern. There are a number of ways to make this happen.
Financial aid is available from a number of different sources. Don’t leave a stone unturned on this front. Some of the best places to seek out funding include:
Scholarships and Grants
When these are available and you can qualify for them, this is the best kind of financing to get. The fact is scholarships and grants don’t have to be paid back. This means you won’t see your debts adding up while you’re in school. Check with your college or university’s financial aid office for information about programs you might qualify for. It’s also smart to look at smaller grants and scholarships available in your home town or home state. Even tiny $500 grants to pay for books can come in handy. Check out the sites below to help you start your scholarship search:
- Free Scholarship Search from FastWeb.com
- Find Money for College at Scholarships.com
- How to Apply for a Scholarship
Student and Graduate Assistantships
Most schools offer assistantships that pay a portion of a student’s tuition and provide a stipend. Students involved in an assistantship are usually required to teach classes, work in the library or help with research in exchange for the tuition payment and stipend. It’s possible to get an assistantship that pays for all of a student’s tuition and gives a stipend for living as well. Usually students apply for assistantships for a specific program or department and are contacted if an opening becomes available.
Student Loans
This type of financial aid is generally available to anyone who is accepted to an accredited learning program. While it’s true student loans come with interest attachments and you will have to pay back the money, they are worth looking into if other funding sources fail. The fact is that taking out a student loan is a form of “good debt.” This means you are making an investment in yourself and your future. To see for what kind of student loans you qualify, fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and make sure you put the correct college or university when prompted. You should then be contacted by your schools financial aid department to see what kind of federal student loans you qualify for.
Employment
Jobs for college students can help offset the costs of funding a Philadelphia education. Working and going to school can be hard, but the fact is even a few hours a week can put more money in your pocket and help you prevent having to rely on loans too much. Check with your school’s employment office to see what kind of jobs are available on campus. Jobs on campus will work around your school schedule and will be more flexible than a part-time job waiting tables. If you have a full time job, see if your company offers any type of tuition reimbursement benefit. Below are a few sites to search for part-time student jobs in the Philadelphia area.
Funding a college education is quite a feat. If you plan ahead and seek out all the options, you will find the work involved is nothing compared to the rewards. Completing your degree, no matter how you end up paying for it, will open doors that otherwise would remain closed.
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