How to Get Paid to Go to College
Author: Nick
Category: Money
Topics: education
In an ideal world, everybody could afford to go to college. Unfortunately, the only way a lot of people think they can pay for college is by taking on massive debt. You may recall that we’ve already disproven the need for a debt-burdened education. Free Money Finance recently featured one reader who noted another way that anyone can afford college is by going for free.
A free college education. Sounds great, right? Not if you compare it to the college education I received…
You see, I got paid to go to college. I mean, a lot of money. Like, five figures over four years.
No, I didn’t join the military. And no, I wasn’t a research subject in any drug trials.
I got paid to sit in class, listen to my professor, and receive the education which landed me a well-paying job. No work study, no loans, just free money that was mine to keep.
How did I do it? In theory, it wasn’t hard.
- Hit the books in high school. This first step will disqualify about 90% of today’s high school population, and I won’t sugarcoat the reason why: they just don’t try hard enough. Since your performance in the four years prior to college is the basis of your admission, getting a good and cheap/free college education starts on day one of high school. Many teenagers blow a chance at a free ride their first year of high school while others perform strong throughout and “take off” their senior year. Getting paid to go to college absolutely requires four years of strong academic performance.
- Dominate the SAT/ACT. As someone who worked as an undergraduate college admissions representative, I can tell you that those standardized tests play a big role (perhaps too big of a role) in determining your admission and scholarship eligibility. I’ve seen cases where students lost thousands of dollars of scholarship money because of 10 measly SAT points. Parents, consider investing money in test preparation courses, even if your child already has solid scores. A few hundred dollars can mean 100 extra points, and that can mean the difference between a partial scholarship and a full ride.
- Search out scholarship programs early. You’re looking for a few different types of scholarships, and you will want them all. First, check out school-specific full-tuition scholarships at your colleges of interest. They’ll at least cover the cost of classes and perhaps also fees, books, room, and board. Next, look for school-specific side scholarships. Much like side dishes for a big meal, these little guys won’t fill you up, but they’ll go great with a larger piece of meat. Note that you’re only interested in scholarships that can be accepted in addition to those full-tuition offers. Finally, check out non-school-specific scholarships like those offered by private companies, individuals, or certain government agencies. Find and apply for every scholarship for which you qualify.
- Apply for state and federal financial aid grants. Many people associate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with obtaining student loans. While it’s true that the FAFSA helps determine eligibility for loans and work-study programs, it is also the application for free, need-based money like the Pell Grant. The best part of these grants is that they can be combined with full-tuition scholarships to pay all of your college costs… and then some!
- Pick a good school, but one that will pay you. So you’ve been offered free rides to several colleges with programs of interest to you, but one of them will also give you extra money. Where does this extra money come from? Well, if the sum of the amounts of your scholarships and financial aid exceeds your bill, you may be eligible to directly receive the excess. Just be careful–some scholarships or aid can only be applied to tuition, fees, and other related costs; they won’t be refunded to you if there’s anything left over.
- Collect your refund. If you’re eligible for a refund, you should receive it shortly after the school year begins. Contact your school’s financial aid office if you have any questions.
Sounds pretty straightforward in theory. But did I really follow all six of my own steps? See for yourself…
- I hit the books in high school. It took a lot of hard work and personal sacrifice, but I ended up as the valedictorian of my high school class.
- I dominated the SAT/ACT. I’ve tutored the SAT for years, and I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s the stupidest test in the world. Any school which bases its admissions on it should be ashamed of itself. That said, a 1560 (back when it was out of 1600) seemed to make my prospective colleges happy.
- I didn’t search out scholarship programs early. Oops, I flunked big time here. I filled out some school-specific scholarship applications, but I didn’t make much of an effort to find alternative scholarships. I might have found even more free money if I had invested some time in searching for it.
- I applied for state and federal financial aid grants, and I thank you taxpayers from the bottom of my heart for all that free money you gave me.
- I picked a good school, one that would pay me. Okay, decision time. Do I go with the full ride to the top-notch school with no money left over, or do I let the state university pay me gobs of cash to grace it with my presence? You guessed it. I picked a public university with an excellent program in my area, and I pocketed every penny of leftover scholarship and financial aid money.
- I collected my refund. Like clockwork, while other students would open their tuition bills each year, I’d open my refund check.
As it turned out, that extra scholarship and financial aid became critical in keeping a roof over our heads and food on the table during my college years, so please don’t think I squandered it.
Yes kids, you can get paid to go to school. I especially hope that those of you who do end up earning while you’re learning will make the most of your better-than-free education, commit yourselves to academic excellence, and do something you really enjoy with your lives.
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18 Responses »
1.
student
September 12th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
You CAN’T “get paid” to go to college if you’re parents are among the unfortunate middle-class.
Your *parents* (not yours) income, even with insane expenses (dependents, parental care) can mean you don’t get a dime of financial aid.
2.
Nick
September 12th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Yes, that’s something I neglected to mention. It “helps” to be poor if you want the federal government to pay you to go to school.
3.
student
September 13th, 2006 at 8:31 am
Being “poor” (or, being declared independent for your parents) is crucial. Without it, you can do the rest of the steps until you’re blue in the face and still not get a dime.
It’s frustrating, at best. Your parents money is not yours when you’re 18 and preparing for college. Just because they can “afford” college doesn’t mean that you can. The system needs revamping and a huge overhaul.
4.
Jay Bryner
September 17th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
You forgot the importance of dominating the PSAT.
5.
Dus10
September 22nd, 2006 at 9:47 am
You don’t have to be poor to do 80% of this. Most of this was merit-based, which is what was being emphasized from the beginning… hit the books hard in high school and dominating the standardized tests.
And, there is a real easy way to get out from under yours parents dreadful success, although I wouldn’t pursue it for this reason… you can get married and move out on your own. This qualifies you as being independent. Further, if you and your spouse are going to school, your household will have two students, which means even more money.
6.
SGT Wright
May 31st, 2007 at 1:29 am
Ok, this is a pretty easy one. I have a pell grant, yea it’s nice. My parents make a combined 160k a year. Declare yourself an independant. Bam! College is paid for. Then on top of that, I get paid alittle over 1500 a month just to go to college. How? I joined the Army Reserves. I go one weekend a month to a drill meeting, where I sit around and talk to other “weekend warriors.” Sure, theres a small risk of deployment in my M.O.S. (Military Police) but there is ways around that. Go chaplins assistant or something stupid like power generator specialist if you don’t want to get deployed. Pretty simple, then on top of it all your making $200 for a single weekend (drill pay.) Since your not working your going to need health insurance right? Wrong, Army covers it. Jesus, if everyone wasn’t so afraid of the Army they would all be in college. On top of that when you get your associates you can go officer. Then you really don’t have to do anything. I’ve been milking this system for 3 years, I hold an A.S. in Computer Information Systems, and im working on a B.A. Basic training isn’t bad, it’s actually alot of fun after the first three weeks. The benefits are good, and as long as your motivated individual you will be noticed and promotions will rain down on you like crazy. I made Sergeant a year after joining. I’ll be a LT in a few months, and the best part is, in three years I haven’t had to get a serious job. Which lets me focus on school and keep the 3.75 GPA I’m currently holding.
7.
Nick
May 31st, 2007 at 9:10 am
Sergeant, it really sounds like you found an awesome and easy way to pay for college. Now nobody has an excuse!
8.
Joel f wilson
August 31st, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Not every one can get payed to go to school. I live in Washington and the school did not have a science class, English class, exe, and your not aloud to choose your own classes. I never had a school book. and 1/4th of the work I tern in the teacher lost. the school system is bad because you can’t fire the teachers even if they molest kids. And parents art legally able to transfer their kids. and if you don’t go to public school its braking the law here. Jolly law system we have. Bet it happen to some kids in your school to. people are not dumb and lazy. they just never had a chance like you did.
9.
Brandi
October 4th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
So, how does a married, mother of 2, who is not working & attending school full time get any help? I was fired from a job, which sort of led me to college. I was drawing unemployment, but now, they’ve taken that away, and want me to pay back some of what little I did receive. So…..now, I’m back to being screwed. I am doing really well in school, and don’t wish for that to be messed up. So, what do I do?
10.
marvin kiai
November 16th, 2007 at 9:29 am
am aguy who is an orphan and am looking for finicial aid to pay my college fees .i live in kenya
11.
Adam
January 12th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Brandi, you could always check out the local state government sites online or their respective unemployment programs. Some states will pay you to goto school to change professions, I believe it’s called vocational rehabilitation. You can also check with the Small Business Administration and see what they have to offer if you were so inclined to start your own business instead of rejoining the workforce as a drone. There are always state and federal programs available if you know the right places to look which can help greatly. A few hours of diligent searching on the internet can usually find you one or two good ones. There are also the scholarships that our friend her was talking about, and you would be surprised at where you may find them. Government agencies will pay you, the state will pay you if you agree to be a math or science teacher for public schools, the military will pay you if you do a stint ( and that one pays bills all on it’s own while you serve your term ). Tons of ways. Just keep your eyes and ears open and always be on the lookout.
12.
lee
April 28th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
if i lose my job and go to colledge full time can i stay on unemployment for 2 years
13.
HeadsUp
June 26th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
It’s the same in the UK. if your folks are on benefit you can get free education but if your parents have money then you have to pay when you finish the course and get a job.
Sometimes it pays to have poor parents but just because your parents are poor it doesn’t mean you are stupid so it works out OK in that sense.
14.
April
July 13th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Great story, but receiving free college money depends on case by case basis. Yes, easier to be poor in America to be eligible for programs taxpayers paid for. How about this case: single, no children, unemployed (no fault of my own), thinking about career change in medical field. Some money in the bank, some in 401K (momma always told me to save for rainy day), pay my own health insurance. Would advice you supplied work in this case–education is paid for, and if possible ways to cover one’s expenses ?
15.
Toiz
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:08 pm
O.k. I’m 40 got a G.E.D. in 1990, married, work 2 jobs (both of them have no tuition assistance), still drowning in bills and I want to get an Accounting degree. How can I get scholarships?
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