Learn

Mom of Four in College Shares Creative Ways to Pay for College!

R2C Community Story: Ways to Pay for College

Mom of Four in College Shares Creative Ways to Pay for College!

Published July 15, 2021 | Last Updated April 28th, 2024 at 12:48 pm

R2C Community Story: Ways to Pay for College

A mom of six and a member of our FB community shares her advice on ways to pay for college. (Edited for clarity and flow.)

I’ve learned a lot about paying for college. Here’s what I know:

FAFSA Is for Everyone

Anytime after October 1 of your student’s senior year of high school, parents should file FAFSA to be eligible for Direct Federal Loans, and/or a Pell Grant. An SAI (Student Aid Index) number is created when you complete the FAFSA. Keep in mind that the SAI is just an estimate, and the amount you end up paying can vary from the actual SAI you receive. 

The lower your SAI, the less you can theoretically afford to pay for college. And with a low enough SAI the student becomes eligible for a Pell Grant, which is additional money for college that does not need to be paid back. 

Find a College with a Reasonable Net Price 

This is my BIGGEST, FAVORITE tip: The “net price” is the amount that parents have left to pay after all institutional scholarships or need-based aid has been factored in.

Use a Net Price Calculator

Google the college you’re interested in, find their net price calculator, and input your information (usually your state of residence, grade point average, test scores, income, and savings). The calculator will estimate your net price.

It will look a lot like the award letter you would receive after being accepted. 

Do this before you visit or even apply. Rule out schools you won’t be able to afford without staggering debt. The more questions the net price calculator asks, the more accurate the results will likely be. 

Negotiate

Try to negotiate with your top choice colleges (after your student is accepted, but before they’re enrolled). Always ask for more scholarship money. Always ask. Really. Even if it’s already close to affordable with their initial offer.

The closer you get to May 1st (or decision day), the more generous a college that isn’t meeting their enrollment quota tends to be.

Try Private Scholarships

Apply for private scholarships. Just don’t expect a miracle here; it can be a lot of work for the low likelihood of getting even a few hundred dollars. If you’re lucky, you’ll receive a few thousand.

Applying for many private scholarships is usually NOT a means to bridging big gaps in affording college. Your efforts spent finding colleges with a closer-to-affordable net price in the first place will typically yield far greater dollar amounts.

Consider Other Sources

Here’s what some parents do:

  • Borrow against their 401k retirement savings.
  • Take a second mortgage on their home.
  • Accept the college-offered monthly payment plan–cash-flowing the amount due each semester. This means putting aside money on a regular basis from income. The most common income source is a paycheck, but rental income or child support (among other things) can be a steady income source as well. 
  • Put the amount due each semester (or their monthly payment plan amount) on a 0% interest credit card and use it to earn rewards points.  
  • Some (with the means) simply use their savings or 529. 
  • Sell stocks or assets to pay for college.
  • Take out a Parent PLUS loan. These require careful research since they have high origination fees and high-interest rates. 
  • Take loans with private lenders offering somewhat better terms, such as potential co-signer release options, lower interest rates, or no origination fees. (Private loans for parents and students are available from banks, credit unions, and state agencies, with both fixed rates and variable rates. Generally, you can’t borrow more than your school’s total cost of attendance. Before applying for private loans, make sure you’ve applied for federal loans. There are differences between them in repayment terms, rates, and other features.)
  • Review their household budget and try to trim expenses, such as: refinancing, cutting back on takeout, hair appointments, vacations, and reducing 401k contributions. These tactics can free up money for college, but again, it’s usually not going to be enough on its own for middle-class families. So don’t expect a miracle here. 
  • Pick up side gigs like driving for rideshare companies, delivering food or packages, starting a home-based business.

Lastly, Sometimes It Pays to Be Humble

Generous relatives or wealthier than you (at the moment) family members may also be able to help. For example, even though my family isn’t rich, when any of us have kids in college, if we let it be known that money is going to be tight for a semester–almost all of us will pitch in some amount. Most people only think of grandparents in moments of need, but second cousins once removed may be there for you as well. 

_______

Use R2C Insights to help find merit aid and schools that fit the criteria most important to your student. You’ll not only save precious time, but your student will avoid the heartache of applying to schools they aren’t likely to get into or can’t afford to attend.  

Other Articles You Might Like:

The Different Ways Families Pay for College

How to Pay for College Without Student Loans

Financial Aid and More: How to Pay for College With No Money

JOIN ONE OF OUR FACEBOOK GROUPS & CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS: 

PAYING FOR COLLEGE 101

HOW TO FIND MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

In this article:

Upcoming Events

Similar Articles for You

Dear Roadie: How Will a Tragic Accident That Caused My Daughter’s Grades to Plummet  Impact Her College Applications?

Advice

Dear Roadie: How Will a Tragic Accident That Caused My Daughter’s Grades to Plummet Impact Her College Applications?

Dear Roadie, While in high school, my daughter was involved in a tragic accident that nearly killed her. Her best...

Best Marine Biology Colleges by Academics, Aid, and Value

Fall

Best Marine Biology Colleges by Academics, Aid, and Value

For students interested in marine biology, choosing the right program is the first step toward an exciting career exploring and...

Dear Roadie: Should You Fill Out The FAFSA If Your Parents Are Undocumented?

Advice

Dear Roadie: Should You Fill Out The FAFSA If Your Parents Are Undocumented?

Dear Roadie, My U.S.-born niece is ready to fill out the FAFSA, but my brother and sister-in-law are undocumented immigrants....

Become a Member

At Road2College you’ll find everything you need to make the admissions and paying for college process less stressful and more transparent.

TOOLS

Explore R2C Insights™ — your source for finding affordable colleges and merit scholarships.

Coaching

Get coaching on admissions and college financing.

Community

Join Road2College where parents and experts work together to inform and inspire college-bound families.