You'll need a college degree if you want a good life for yourself and your family. According to a Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce report, a bachelor's degree is worth over $3 million in lifetime earnings. 1 What's the best way to go about getting one of them without going into debt? You can obtain grants, scholarships, and other tuition perks that will pay you or reimburse you for completing a degree.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement Programs

It's easy to be paid to go to school if your business provides tuition reimbursement as part of its benefits package. Different states have different reimbursement systems for college tuition. Some employers will cover the cost of any degree, while others will only cover the cost of degrees relevant to their particular industry.

Employers may limit the tuition reimbursement they provide or require employees to maintain a specific GPA to be eligible. If you are looking for a career but want to attend college shortly, you should look into the educational advantages offered by potential employers.

How to Get Help Paying for School

The majority of schools and universities provide financial aid programs. They'll pay up to 100% of your expenses in some cases. Some private and liberal arts colleges with large endowments provide more generous financial assistance packages than public institutions. Princeton University, for example, is one of the few universities that cover the entire need of all eligible undergraduate students who require financial help with grants.

It's a good idea to check out the policies of any institution you're considering. Filling out the federal government's Free Application for Federal Student Aid will help you qualify for need-based educational grants and scholarships.

Community College Education

To acquire a two-year associate degree from a local community college, you may be able to get a grant to pay the majority of your tuition by filling out the FAFSA form each year. In the 2021–2022 academic year, the federal Pell Grant, which gives up to $6,495 per year to full-time students, will be the most popular grant award. Although Pell Grants are not exclusive to community institutions, they can pay the full-time enrollment costs in most community college degree programs.

Prorated Pell Grant money may be available to qualifying students who work full-time and attend community college part-time. A few towns and states have granted local citizens free community college tuition in recent years. Some political leaders want to extend the policy globally.

Merit-Based And Minority Grants & Scholarships

Merit awards are common at institutions to entice talented students. Scholarships and bursaries may also be available for kids with unique skills, such as sports. Minority students who are underrepresented in higher education may also be eligible for scholarships and grants.

Your school's guidance counselor or other services are excellent resources for learning about grants and scholarships. As a last resort, you can perform your research on websites such as CareerOneStop, which the US Department of Labor supports. A variety of information on apprenticeships, certifications, internships, and college aid programs may be found on that site.

Tax Cuts for College Students

You may get part of that money back through tax credits as a college student. The American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) each offer up to $2,500 in federal tax credits. You may also be eligible for a tax break or credit from your state.

Is The U.S. Military A Paid Option For School?

Benefits such as tuition reimbursement and on-the-the-job training are two of the main reasons why people join the military in the United States. Assistance with the expense of higher education may be available through the GI Bill, the Military Tuition Assistance Program, and the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program.

Corporate Tuition Reimbursement: How Does It Work?

Each firm has its own set of rules and regulations. Some employers will cover the cost of any degree, while others will only cover the cost of degrees relevant to their particular industry. Employers may limit the tuition reimbursement they provide or require employees to maintain a specific GPA to be eligible. If you are looking for a career but want to attend college shortly, you should look into the educational advantages offered by potential employers.

The Verdict

Finding methods to pay for college without going into debt has never been more important, as the price of a college education rises in tandem with its increasing value. In the meantime, be wary of any organizations or sites offering to connect you with scholarship opportunities in exchange for a fee. Scams abound, and very few can provide services you could not perform on your own—and for no cost.