Financing School Without Enlisting in the Military

Despite what the military's ad campaigns imply, enlisting in the armed forces is not the only source of college money. If you put in the necessary time, energy, and dedication, you can find a way to pay for school. You can also receive financial aid in the form of the thousands of grants, scholarships, and loans offered each year to prospective students by federal and state governments, by public and private foundations.

You can make use of the many alternative ways to get to a degree, from community college extension classes to Americorps. You can put the pieces together in any number of ways -- and end up with a degree that will move you toward the future you want.

Billions of dollars  of financial aid available from the private sector goes unused every year, mainly because students don't know how to find it. Spending time in the library looking through scholarship directories might seem boring or tough. Carefully applying for grant money may be difficult and time-consuming - but not as difficult as four years of military service.

How to Get Started

First you have to apply! Don't make the mistake of assuming you can't afford college and not applying. Your guidance counselor can help you through the process or hook you up with programs such as Talent Search or Upward Bound, which help students improve their chances of getting into college through tutoring, mentoring, and financial aid counseling. Some public libraries also have higher education assistance centers. To find out more, call the Division of Student Services, Educational Outreach Branch at (202) 708-4804.

Once you're ready, you should write to the colleges you are interested in to request their financial aid information. This information should tell you the cost of tuition, what types of financial aid are available, and how to apply for aid. More expensive schools often have more generous aid programs, so don't rule them out in advance.

Finding the Money

Federal Aid

All schools will require that you fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available from your high school counselor or college financial aid offices. You must fill out FAFSA to be eligible for any federal aid and to be considered for any other aid by most colleges. Since the amount of money available from the federal government is limited, it is essential that you submit your FAFSA as early as possible. FAFSA forms are long and may be confusing; don't be afraid to ask for help filling it out.

Within six weeks, you'll receive your Student Aid Report (SAR), and find out the amount of money that the Federal government has determined your family can afford to pay for college, as well as the amount of federal aid you're eligible for. Colleges will use the SAR to help determine how much aid (grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study) they will award you.

Often your federal award won't be enough: it's smart to begin looking for other money right away, even before you apply to college.

Scholarships and Grants

There are so many different types of scholarships and grants that most anyone can qualify for one! There are scholarships for people with specific skills or interests; for students who want to pursue certain majors; for employees of large companies and their children; and for members of particular ethnic and religious groups, and many more. Most scholarships and grants have deadlines. The sooner you begin your research, the better your chances.

Loans

While often considered a last resort, loans can actually be a good way to finance your college education. The Federal government provides Direct Students Loans, Stafford and Perkins loans, which are available at low interest. You don't have to start paying them back until six months after you graduate or leave school. Your parents can take out a federal Plus Loan, regardless of your financial need. Plus Loans have variable interest rates and must be repaid within ten years. For information about other types of federal loans, call the Guaranteed Student Loan Center at (202) 708-9167. Your local bank can give you information about low-cost private sector loans, with repayment terms of up to 30 years.

Community Colleges

Community Colleges are the most accessible form of higher education. They are generally much cheaper than four-year schools. If you are unsure of what interests you or which career you want to pursue, you can begin at a community college. You can attend community college full- or part-time and earn an Associate of Arts or Sciences in only two years. And community colleges are an excellent place to begin your work toward a B.A.: most require only a high school diploma or GED (General Equivalency Diploma) for admission, and almost all will transfer credits earned to four-year institutions.

Americorps and VISTA

AmeriCorps is a federally funded program that offers money for college in exchange for jobs serving the community. AmeriCorps members earn minimum wage while working, and are awarded thousands of dollars for college upon finishing. VISTA, which has existed for 30 years, forgives student loans in exchange for student service. To find out about Americorps, call the Corporation for National and Community Service at (202) 606-5000. For information about VISTA, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Director of VISTA, Office of Domestic Opportunities, ACTION, 1100 Vermont Avenue, Washington D.C., 20425.

Other Ways to Save

You might want to consider living at home, off-campus, or with a relative. You might be able to get a loan from a family member or a local business person. Part-time and summer jobs have helped thousands of students supplement their aid packages. And going to school part-time can be less expensive, and while giving you more time to earn money.