Debt-Free College

“Most people don't' plan to fail, they fail to plan." 
- John J. Beckley

You CAN complete college debt-free! It's a huge help if you have a college fund or if someone else is able to help you pay for college, but most college students have to find their own way to finance their education. If your goal is to pay for college in full without having to borrow any money (such as with student loans), then this resource is for you!

Basic College Cost-Saving Principles

Before thinking of ways to cover college costs, start by making decisions that keep the costs of college low.

• Choose a school you can afford. Community college is a great option for minimizing the costs of college. With very low tuition rates and fully accredited lower-division coursework that transfers easily to universities, community colleges offer the best deal around. State universities are also a great option for low-cost undergraduate and graduate degrees, but sometimes private universities may offer a most affordable pathway, so be sure to do your research and calculate the costs of all available options.
  
  
• Apply for scholarships and grants. There is an abundance of free college money available to those who qualify for financial aid and for those who take the time to apply for college scholarships. Contact Student Financial Services for assistance with applying for financial aid. For scholarships, explore both local scholarships and use national scholarship search engines (such as Big Future, Fastweb, and Chegg). You should apply for several scholarships and focus on highlighting your strengths in scholarship applications and interviews.
  
  
• Live at home. After tuition costs, the largest expense for most college students is their costs for housing. If you can avoid the costs of on-campus dormitories or renting a local apartment, you can use the savings from rent, utilities, and food to reduce your overall college price tag. Living at home might not be an option for everyone, so you might also consider saving money by finding a roommate (or two or three) and eating at home instead of eating out whenever you can.
  
  
• Work part-time during college. Working a part-time job during college can not only provide you with valuable work experience and force you to schedule and organize your time each week, but it is a great way to earn extra funds to pay down your college costs. The National Center for Education Statistics, the Journal of College Student Retention, and the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice have all published research that suggests that students can benefit from working part-time.
  
  
• Start College in High School. A great way to reduce the courses you need to take in college, and avoid tuition costs, is to start taking courses or equivalent exams while in high school. Many colleges offer dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment programs that allow local high school students to take college courses for no cost. Alternatively, high school students can also complete AP, IB, or CLEP exams to earn college credit. Contact your high school to find out what programs and partnerships are available to you.

Debt-Free College Options

In addition to taking steps to minimize your college costs, explore the options below to learn about programs that can make college completely free or at least help you avoid taking on debt.

• Financial Aid.  Many programs exist to help college students with financial need achieve their educational goals. While student loans must be paid back with interest, most other forms of financial aid, such as fee waivers, grants, scholarships, and work-study wages, do not have to be paid back and can be used to offset or cover the costs of college.  Learn more by visiting our Student Financial Services website.
  
  
• Promise Programs. (1) The California College Promise Grant waives the enrollment fees and tuition costs for eligible California residents who attend California community colleges. Learn more and check your eligibility at https://home.cccapply.org/en/money/california-college-promise-grant. (2) The Norco College Promise Program is designed to help first-time college students complete their educational goal in a timely manner. Students who commit to the Promise Program at Norco College receive financial support during their first year to reduce college costs and increase their success.  Learn more by visiting our Promise Program website.
  
  
• Apprenticeships.  Participate in an Earn & Learn training model where employers structure a career pathway by combining an educational track alongside paid on-the-job training. At Norco College, courses taken through an approved apprenticeship are tuition-free and the enrollment also qualifies for financial aid. Learn more about building valuable industry-specific skills while earning wages and experience by visiting our Apprenticeship website.
   
• Extended Learning.  The Extended Learning Program at Norco College offers noncredit, tuition-free courses and certificates at no cost. This professional development opportunity is designed to support students in obtaining the skills and knowledge to get a job, get a better job, or transition to college credit education. Visit our Extended Learning website for more information about tuition-free noncredit programs and courses.
  
  
• College Corps.  The #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program is available through Norco College.  College Corps fellows who complete the requirements of the program will earn up to $10,000 to help pay for college and gain real-world experiences and skills to add to their resume. Visit www.norcocollege.edu/collegecorps for more information and program deadlines.
  
  
• Join the Military.  GI Bill benefits can help you pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training. Learn more about GI Bill benefits at https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/ and our Veterans Resource Center website.
  
  
• Employer Reimbursement.  Many companies offer tuition reimbursement programs as a benefit that helps their employees pursue professional development. Typically, employees are required to pay up front for their classes, and then the employer refunds a portion or all of the money spent upon completion of the class, semester, or program. Some employers may even provide an ongoing stipend as a benefit to employees who advance their education. Check with your employer to see if they offer this as a benefit and view this article for a list of large national employers that have well-established tuition reimbursement programs: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/companies-offer-tuition-reimbursement-4126637.
  
  
• Save Before You Go.  This might not be a popular option, but if you're looking to avoid student loan debt and paying interest, you might want to consider making college tuition one of your savings goals.

Learn how to save money, start budgeting, and avoid debt by requesting free access to our Foundations in Personal Finance platform. Click here to request access today.