Tuition Free Colleges
Tuition-Free Colleges and how to make college more affordable.
Would you like to go to a tuition-free college? How's that for a cheap education? Yes, they do exist but you must be aware that it is not easy and there may be drawbacks. You need to be at the top of your education game with a high GPA and a good student resume to get in. But if you get into a tuition-free college, you have got it made!
Military Service Academies
The US Military Academies are all tuition free. Yes, they are hard to get into, but they admit more student than you think.
The US Military Academy, West Point admits 1,292 new students each year.
US Naval Academy admits about 1,200.
US Air Force Academy has about 1,400 incoming freshmen.
That's a total of about 4,000 students a year. Have a super high SAT/ACT score and get to know a senator.
Most will write letters on your behalf if they think you are a good candidate.
Yes, you do have to commit to a few years in the military, but an academy college education is top notch.
Can't get into an academy but still want to be an officer? JROTC and ROTC also will help pay tuition.
Tuition-Free Colleges
What you need to know.
They are quite hard to get into as many students are applying. Start in high school to find out what is involved for each school.
Tuition-free colleges are scattered all over the United States. You may need to travel to places you never thought you would live. You may not be near a large city and your social life may be nonexistent for 4 years. Yes, there tuition-free colleges in other countries!
Tuition-free colleges and universities are not for party animals. They are schools that over-emphasize academics. If you don't like studying, forget about them.
Do you have the right skills or interests for that tuition-free college? Some have a narrow scope, like music or visual arts. Your major may need to change.
Many tuition-free colleges don't just give it to you. You must work on campus. If you think it is impossible to work, study, and go to all your classes, think about paying tuition somewhere else.
There are other expenses other than just tuition. Yes, tuition is a big chunk, but you will still need cash for personal items and luxuries. And traveling back home may be a big expense as well as inconvenient.
However, with even state colleges charging up to $50,000 for a four year degree, it is well worthwhile to get in to a tuition-free college or university!
Stanford University, Washington, Washington State, MIT do not charge tuition to students of certain income levels.
SOKA University of America in Alisa Viejo, CA., charges no tuition for students whose family income is below $60,000
Other tuition free colleges:
Alice Lloyd College in Pippa Passes, Kentucky
Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia
College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri
Deep Springs College located on a farm/ranch on California's High Desert
Cooper Union in Manhatten (No longer tuition free, but offers a sliding scale with the most needy students still paying nothing.)
Olin College of Engineering in Needham, Mass.(No longer tuition free, but gives each student a half-ride scholarship, and awards grants to needy students)
Berea College in Berea, Kentucky
In Norway, Norwegian University of Science and Technology is tuition free
In Sweden, one tuition-free college is Jönköping International Business School.
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Outside Articles for College Students
Don't pay for scholarship searches. Start at your counseling office at your high school. They will have virtually all scholarship information you need for free. You can also click below for a free search:
College Scholarships and Financial Aid for College
Ways to Make College More Affordable
Take some classes at a junior college. The tuition is much lower.
Take classes with a friend and share the cost of a book.
Take an online class. The tuition is usually lower and no travel.
Live at home with your parents or a relative.
Get as many free college money like scholarships and grants. Every little bit adds up.
Ask your relatives to donate to your education. Sounds funny, but why not have a little internal-family fund raising?
Many colleges keep copies of textbooks in the library. Check it out! May give you free access to a textbook you cannot afford.
Change your major! Okay, last resort. But many science degrees cannot be completed in just four years. Too many prerequisites. That's more classes, more tuition. Also, math and science textbooks are on average much more expensive than other books.
Having said that about textbooks, sometimes a math book, like the calculus series, can be used for multiple quarters. Check on this as well.
Buy your books online or buy early and get them used. Textbooks at the college bookstore are VERY expensive. Even for used books. Make sure you sell your books online as well. You will get a lot more money than the bookstore will.
Attend a state college or university. They are light years cheaper. And get this. Once you graduate, nobody will really care where you went!
Many Christian and private colleges offer a tuition reduction for work. And they will supply the job!
Make college as cheap as you can. Don't party. Attend a college where the weather is good most of the time. A foul-weather site will eat a clothes budget quick.
Put your social life on hold. You are young. You will have the rest of your lives to party and have fun. Right now, in college, study and graduate.
