Information Related to "Paying for College Without Losing an Arm or a Leg"
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The
price of a college education can look daunting, to say the least. Last
year (the 2004-2005 academic year), tuition and fees averaged $5,132
for in-state students at public four-year colleges and universities,
according to the College Board's Trends
in College Pricing 2004 report.
This survey of 2,800 private and public post-secondary institutions
showed rates increased by 10.5 percent, up from $4,645. With room and
board costs, the average bill was $11,354 a year, up 7.8 percent, according
to the report.
Though tuition prices rose less at private four-year colleges and universities—6 percent—this increase brought the average bill for these institutions to $20,082 for 2004-2005. Add room and board, which increased 4.6 percent over the previous year, and you're paying $27,516.
Keep breathing. Through careful choices and planning, you can make it through college without sacrificing an arm or leg. After all, you'll need your arm to type those late-night term papers. And don't give up on college altogether because of the cost. It's an investment in yourself that almost always pays off. So what can you do to minimize your expenses?
Start early
One way to cut costs before you even graduate from high school is to explore dual-enrollment programs at nearby community colleges. In many states, students can enroll in college courses that satisfy both high school and associate-degree course requirements. Some states even waive tuition and book fees for high school students enrolled in these programs.
Depending on when you start, you could have your associate's degree completed before high school graduation, shaving as much as two years of tuition, books and room and board off your college costs.
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