Junior year is the worst and senior year is a breeze. At least, that seems to be the common belief. However, most seniors seem to disagree. Why? College applications and the stress of figuring out how to pay. For four years of college, the average cost is $108,584.
So what is the solution to this? Unfortunately, there’s no single answer, but there are plenty of helpful options. One that many have probably heard of is FAFSA. This stands for Federal Student Aid from the Department of Education. If you qualify for it, it often covers everything from tuition and fees to housing and food, and even books and supplies. The FAFSA deadline is June 30.
“Don’t count a school out just because it seems too expensive,” said Lisa Sheehy, LHS counselor. “Keep your options open.”
There are other options too. You can apply for many different scholarships. There are some that don’t even require test scores or essays. Some are local which also rids the fear of a huge pool of opponent applicants.
The military also offers full rides and excellent schooling, though this is traded with some years of service.
A gap year is a smart idea too if you’re looking for time to save money. If you’re willing to go abroad, European schools offer a good education and they are often much cheaper than American ones.
Countless other forms of financial aid also exist. Paying is completely possible if you’re willing to evaluate the options and opportunities.
However, amid all this stress regarding how to pay, it’s important to remember to relax. An education is important, and plenty of people and organizations work to ensure that you can afford it.