5 ways to save on college tuition

In case you have not read the headlines lately, colleges and universities all around the country have been slashing their budgets and adopting new measures, which will make college tuition more expensive. The financial crisis did not just affect the banks, as the 2008 financial meltdown has also trickled down to colleges, universities and many other higher educational institutions, and unfortunately, the burden of the costs have been placed on the shoulders of the students and their families. 



As the economy slowly recovers, it seems as if college budgets will also. But, until then, most students will be facing higher than ever tuition costs, as well as textbook costs, and it is likely that costs will continue to rise at least for the next couple of years. The United States government is also going through some arguments about whether or not they should cut some federal Pell grants, which will also make it tougher for middle class and lower class Americans to be able to afford college tuition at all. 

As you can probably tell, college tuition is a problem and will continue to be so for quite some time, most likely. But, there are some preventative measures that you, as a student, can take to make sure that you get the best deal possible on college tuition and college-related costs. Here is a list of 5 things you can do, before going to college and embarking on the next step in your educational career that can, in effect, save you money on college tuitions:

 Tip#1 Get college credit while in high school

Many high schools around the country provide students with college-level courses while they are still attending high school. It can only be done during the senior year in high school, but it is a great way to save money on college tuition- at least a little bit- since the high school programs, which are usually federally funded, will absorb most, if not all, of the costs for tuition. 

 Tip #2 Prefer studying abroad

At first glance, you may think studying abroad would be more expensive. But, in fact, most colleges abroad have much lower tuition rates than the schools right here at home. Better yet, many schools abroad offer fast-track programs, which mean you can obtain a similar degree as you would at home, but in less time, which is also cheaper.

 Tip #3 Go to junior college

This is a great way to save on tuition for the first two years of school. Instead of going straight to college, go to a much cheaper junior college or community college, which costs much less.

 Tip #4 Public in-state schools

These tend to be much cheaper than the other alternatives.

 Tip #5 saving plans

There are many plans out there that can help you save in the long run.

 About the author:

Bob is a college student and freelance writer. Check out getarealdegree.com for more info.