Tips To Save On College

[jeffrey]

College Saving Tips...

1. Although application deadlines for most college scholarships aren't due until the students' senior year, start searching for grants and scholarships their freshman year. By finding potential awards when they begin high school, the student can choose classes and participate in activities that will give them a better chance of getting free cash.
   
   
2. Reduce your college expenses by earning as many college credits outside the classroom that you can. Advanced Placement tests, internships, public service and job training programs are a few examples of ways that you can trim tuition costs by earning college credit outside the classroom.
   
   
3. There are some 750,000 college scholarships available to qualified students. While many of these are financially need and grade based, many others are not. Don't let household income or grades stop you from searching for scholarships.
   
   
4. You are allowed to pay any amount for as many people's college tuition (not room & board or school supplies) without owing any gift taxes. For the tuition payments to qualify, you must pay the tuition directly to the college.
   
   

[suedavids]

FYI: Fidelity has a mastercard which gives 2% back into a 529 account. Also, if you contribute to your 529 account at least $50 a month, yearly fees are waved. Very sweet deal. scroll down on the provided link.

There is a 1 1/2 % rebate on all other accounts.

http://personal.fidelity.com/global/...0credit%20card

[Lori63]

Glad this moved back up-
Start Early researching everything-there truly is a ton of stuff out there.
My son is a senior-applying now to colleges. Last year there was a financial aid seminar at his school-my friend and I were the only parents of Juniors there! Everyon else had seniors, and it was obvious most had just started to think about it. I was amazed.
I agree with #3- he's going in with 10 credits, some of which were not much harder to earn than just regular high school credit.
Do not rule out private colleges as too expensive. They generally have Financial Aid packages which get the $$ down to at or near a public college. (It just makes you faint when you see the original price!)

[suedavids]

My two girls graduated from college in 3 years. This saved us consideral money. They took summer school at the junior college and went into college with ap courses and dual enrollment classes taken at the college during high school.

[bubbe11]

This is the best information EVER!!

If you are planning on your child going to a "local" private college/university, then check them out.

At most of the private universities in texas, if you have been employed there 1 year or more, your children can go tuition free.

I found out about this AFTER my daughter finished her sophmore year @ TCU.... grrrrrr

So I let everyone know about that I can.

If you work there you can get, up to your masters tuition free and your spouse and children can get up to their bachelors free!!!

Certainly something to think about.

[andimorony]

I have a sophomore and I am starting to think about this subject alot.
One thing I want my son to do is to take every AP class he can get and then take the tests (and pass). Then I dont have to pay for the college credits at all!

WOO HOO

[Lori63]

Originally Posted by andimorony

I have a sophomore and I am starting to think about this subject alot.
One thing I want my son to do is to take every AP class he can get and then take the tests (and pass). Then I dont have to pay for the college credits at all!

WOO HOO

Also check out dual enrollment classes-we have a local community college that offers classes taught at the high school (my son is taking calculus) by regular teachers that count as credit. They only have to get a C or above to get credit.

[funnyvalentine]

definately check out Upromise.com, where your online shopping, dinners out, ATT, etc can rebate into a 529 account. You can also link relatives into it, and they have a charge card. It's painless and smart.

[funnyvalentine]

Clep tests are a great way to test out of basic classes; they are especially useful if you're an adult returning to college. They save you time and money. I eliminated four classes when I went back to a state school, and this saved me over 1500 and all the time I'd have used to sit in the classroom.

Many adult schools run Clep preparation classes and there are books you can buy to prepare for them.

c

[katwoman]

The community college in my district offers some classes half of the regular tuition!

These are only a handful and the reason they give is that they are offered at unpopular times of the day. Usually late afternoon but before the more heavily attended evening classes.

Who knew?

[funnyvalentine]

When I was starting my undergrad degree (at a private college, several classes at a time) I took some basics at a community college for half the per credit price. These were classes that were required but not in my field, so I wasn't as picky about the having professors I knew. Truly, some of those classes were much more inspiring than some taught by the "big names".

[pennywise]

Free tuition for employees at Universities is stealing from those who pay. Period. As I say, the ten commandments say: Thou shalt not steal. Renaming it does not change stealing. When you take money from one to pay for something for another you have stolen. Raising tuition and having one pay full price and giving scholarships to others is stealing. You did not ask the other if they wanted to pay for your child nor should you expect it. I resent paying full price for others to steal from me. And this game will end soon, just as it did for the factory worker. We got tired of paying for Ford employees to all have computers in their homes, cream of the crop health insurance, paid attorneys, etc. See what happened to them. People you need to wake up! Understand how these things work. They take money from one to pay for another. My hard work and values of paying for what you get does not enable you to get into my wallet as you wish. I give up vacations, I have no cable TV, I make sacrifices. And if you can't afford it I suggest you look: did you buy beer, do you smoke, do you have cable, cell phones, etc. Most getting financial aid have more children than they can afford and do not practice frugal living. It is not fair for me to pay for you. I am currently fighting a University here for this practice. Put the books (financial) out there and let me see what is going on. The President of Oakland University has a free car and a free house with a salary of $200,000 a year. Hmmmmmm, wonder why he can't afford his house or car, we pay for ours on lesser salaries. Pass the word. Thank you.

[funnyvalentine]

I think , respectfully, you need to get a grip. Let's take this by point.

1. Most employees have perks; having another body sit in a class is probably one of the cheapest ones that is available to give.

2. No one, almost no one pays full price to go to college. I agree, it is a skewed system, but it is what's the norm now. Scholarships are not given solely on merit, brains, or poverty.

3. If your university president is making 200,000, consider that you got a bargain. That person is completely and totally responsible for everything that goes on at that school; from the people who make toast in the morning to the professors who teach your kids to making sure a new crop of kids want to go there every year. 200,000 bucks is nothing for that non stop responsibility.

4. How exactly did you decide how many kids anyone can afford, how much beer they drink, and even more interesting, how do you know what the average Ford worker has in his living room or wallet?

I liken all this argument to those who think ministers should make 20,000 bucks when they are really the CEO"s of a corporation and in addition, they are charged with being inspirational, creative, tireless, and entertaining.

I suspect if you really found out how many employees' kids were going to school free, you'd be shocked. It's probably almost none.

c

Originally Posted by pennywise

Free tuition for employees at Universities is stealing from those who pay. Period. As I say, the ten commandments say: Thou shalt not steal. Renaming it does not change stealing. When you take money from one to pay for something for another you have stolen. Raising tuition and having one pay full price and giving scholarships to others is stealing. You did not ask the other if they wanted to pay for your child nor should you expect it. I resent paying full price for others to steal from me. And this game will end soon, just as it did for the factory worker. We got tired of paying for Ford employees to all have computers in their homes, cream of the crop health insurance, paid attorneys, etc. See what happened to them. People you need to wake up! Understand how these things work. They take money from one to pay for another. My hard work and values of paying for what you get does not enable you to get into my wallet as you wish. I give up vacations, I have no cable TV, I make sacrifices. And if you can't afford it I suggest you look: did you buy beer, do you smoke, do you have cable, cell phones, etc. Most getting financial aid have more children than they can afford and do not practice frugal living. It is not fair for me to pay for you. I am currently fighting a University here for this practice. Put the books (financial) out there and let me see what is going on. The President of Oakland University has a free car and a free house with a salary of $200,000 a year. Hmmmmmm, wonder why he can't afford his house or car, we pay for ours on lesser salaries. Pass the word. Thank you.

[pennywise]

Okay, lets look at that. What perks do you have? I have none. And I mean I have none. My spouse has none. So enlighten me on everyone having perks. I'll bet Walmart workers can attest to no perks.

My spouse and I are both paying full price for our graduate degrees. So another fallicy. I pay full price for my daughter to attend private school.

The University President sits in his office reading the Detroit News and Wall STreet Journal paid for by students. I know this to be true because I caught it. So, I don't see him overseeing his employees. I see him enjoying a glorious salary, free house, and free car. Why is he worth anymore than me or my neighbor. Wake up. No one deserves more credit than another. We all work, do a job, put our clothes on the same, and die the same. If you wish to idolize that is your privledge, but many of us are disgusted by it all.

If you have a child and cannot pay to support the child then you have a child you could not afford. If you cannot pay full price and expect someone to subsidize your childs education then you cannot afford the child. Socialists believe in this, not a capitalist. If you drink beer, smoke, burn gas in a boat and ask for a handout for your child then you could not afford the child. If you cannot afford it you should not do it. I support debtors prison and am glad the bankruptcy laws are changed. One should make their choices and live by them and NOT expect someone else to pay for it for them.

It was published in the newspapers in late 1990's that ALL Ford employees were given a computer. Their benefits are no secret in the Detroit area. They brag about them. So, do your research before you talk, please. Oh, and how about the bonus' they used to get. The rest of us got tired of it and their poor quality product, so now we don't buy it.

I am pleased you know that no child is in school free. I know that to be a fallicy also. Pell grants pay full tution off a taxpayer to a family who's parents could not afford the child! Else they would be paying the tuition and not the taxpayer.

Thank you. I don't make up stories. The news and company reports are where I get my information. Oakland County employees have an annual Easter Egg Hunt paid for by the taxpayer for their children. Do you have one for your child paid for by your customers? Oh, the greed and the mentality to entitlements. And, again, it is stealing. Look up the definition of stealing: to take without intent of giving back. Taking without the permission of the owner. If I work for my paycheck, the paycheck is mine. Calling it a tax, charity, or any other name is still stealing. I did not give my permission nor do I agree to pay for antoher's healthcare, education, heat bill, light bill. Especially because most are smoking and drinking beer. And how do I know. I have been in their homes and seen it in the course of my profession. I don't lie or make up stories. Again, bring back debtors prison. Do not buy it if you cannot pay. Do not do it if you cannot pay, period.

[funnyvalentine]

Perks? HA HA. I own a catering business, and I'm happy to get a paycheck 8 months a year, if that. I pay for my own health insurance, and I pay a self employment tax of over 28% on every wedding that I perform and get paid for. My perk, basically, is all the fresh mozzarella I can eat. If you look at Walmart workers, I'm sure you'll be shocked. You can go here to view them;

http://jobsearch.about.com/gi/dynami...o%3Fcatg%3D271


They include 401K's, stock options, child care discounts, a variety of health care plans, and counseling.

And before you write your thesis, you might want to become familiar with grammar, spellcheck, and sentence structure. All those "perks" go a long way to establish your credibility.

A college president's job is far beyond what you think it is; reading papers for no reason and enjoying a big house; do you want an institution of higher learning run by someone without a grip on what is going on in the world? I certainly don't. To suggest that everyone's work deserves equal pay is just plain uninformed. The day that the "fries with that?" employee makes as much as the guy who does my root canal is the day I jump off a bridge. Quite frankly, the cumulative education of people in many careers is justification for their salaries; I'm sure you 're not in grad school for the heck of it. You hope to make more money.

Someone, a group of people, is making that college run. I know that the man who ran my seminary personally went out and raised over 40 million dollars when we were in danger of going bankrupt. These people don't take these jobs for a house; they'd never survive the pressure. They take jobs in education because they believe in the value of the institution. If you want to rail about people making more money than they are worth, take aim at professional athletes, who contribute little if anything to the world.


Your choice to put your child in private school is a choice too. To do that and then complain about it is folly.

Originally Posted by pennywise

Okay, lets look at that. What perks do you have? I have none. And I mean I have none. My spouse has none. So enlighten me on everyone having perks. I'll bet Walmart workers can attest to no perks.

My spouse and I are both paying full price for our graduate degrees. So another fallicy. I pay full price for my daughter to attend private school.

The University President sits in his office reading the Detroit News and Wall STreet Journal paid for by students. I know this to be true because I caught it. So, I don't see him overseeing his employees. I see him enjoying a glorious salary, free house, and free car. Why is he worth anymore than me or my neighbor. Wake up. No one deserves more credit than another. We all work, do a job, put our clothes on the same, and die the same. If you wish to idolize that is your privledge, but many of us are disgusted by it all.

If you have a child and cannot pay to support the child then you have a child you could not afford. If you cannot pay full price and expect someone to subsidize your childs education then you cannot afford the child. Socialists believe in this, not a capitalist. If you drink beer, smoke, burn gas in a boat and ask for a handout for your child then you could not afford the child. If you cannot afford it you should not do it. I support debtors prison and am glad the bankruptcy laws are changed. One should make their choices and live by them and NOT expect someone else to pay for it for them.

It was published in the newspapers in late 1990's that ALL Ford employees were given a computer. Their benefits are no secret in the Detroit area. They brag about them. So, do your research before you talk, please. Oh, and how about the bonus' they used to get. The rest of us got tired of it and their poor quality product, so now we don't buy it.

I am pleased you know that no child is in school free. I know that to be a fallicy also. Pell grants pay full tution off a taxpayer to a family who's parents could not afford the child! Else they would be paying the tuition and not the taxpayer.

Thank you. I don't make up stories. The news and company reports are where I get my information. Oakland County employees have an annual Easter Egg Hunt paid for by the taxpayer for their children. Do you have one for your child paid for by your customers? Oh, the greed and the mentality to entitlements. And, again, it is stealing. Look up the definition of stealing: to take without intent of giving back. Taking without the permission of the owner. If I work for my paycheck, the paycheck is mine. Calling it a tax, charity, or any other name is still stealing. I did not give my permission nor do I agree to pay for antoher's healthcare, education, heat bill, light bill. Especially because most are smoking and drinking beer. And how do I know. I have been in their homes and seen it in the course of my profession. I don't lie or make up stories. Again, bring back debtors prison. Do not buy it if you cannot pay. Do not do it if you cannot pay, period.

[pennywise]

Funny Valentine: you have made some good points and thanks for the link I will look at it. I will also think about your thoughts. Yes, I am in graduate school to open my own clinic and get away from the commoner and their mentality. However, I stand by my comments: Pay for what you get and don't expect someone else to. I also stand by and support my comments on stealing - renaming it to a tax, charity, scholarship, benefit - is stealing. Because when you give free tuition to an employee you are giving away a lot. My education is over $20,000 for my graduate degree and I resent the tuition being raised for a freebie seeking employee's son or daughter. Because, yes they raise the tuition and make ME pay for it. I am tired of paying taxes for smokers, beer drinkers, gas burning boat riders who do not have their priorities straight. Again, I do not have cable, cell phones, take vacations, smoke, drink, burn gas stupidly (I ride my bike everywhere I can, and even to work) TO PAY FOR WHAT WE GET. I support my comment on debtors jail - filing bankruptcy is stealing just called something else. It is like walking into a store and taking a pack of gum and walking out. Just called something else. Renaming it does not make it stealing and the ten commandments says: Thou shalt not steal, period!

Now for all of you who would like more information on the topic:
http://www.forbes.com/2006/04/28/mar...partner=my_msn

[pennywise]

I need to add: A 401K is supported and paid for by the individual. A customary 3% addition by the employer is what should be provided across the board. NO CEO or President is worth their retirement being paid for by their customers any more than the 3% the others get (recent example: EXXON). The government needs to make the employer match 100% vested from day one. As the employer views the employees 401 as a bank and fires the employee before the 100% vesting to take back the money. Oh, yes, they do. They have so many tricks up their sleeves. That is what happened to my spouse. His employer bought a machine he could not afford, fired my spouse, took the 401K money, hired a cheaper person (who failed and screwed up), called my spouse to come and teach the cheaper employee to fix the expensive mistake. Oh, am I resentful of the stealing!

[pennywise]

Hey Happy Valentine: I looked at your link and would like to point out: Just because they list benefits does not mean they are good benefits. Saying you have health insurance is a farce. You may interview and find out that there is a high deductible, the employee cost is high, etc. Do your homework, don't just list and follow the crowd. My spouse is professionally employed, has a Master's degree and has a lousy health insurance policy with high co-pays and $1000 deductible. This is why I am in medical - to ensure my family has health coverage (for free - oh, and not stealing as I will provide it - work it). I will diagnose and prescribe it and not pay the physician. Every family needs a nurse practitioner or physican and an attorney. This way others cannot bully you and your basic needs are met. I a NP and my spouse in law school. We woke up! Those Bush's taught us everything we needed to know and now my child will be a surgeon or judge. And we worked for it. I paid for my undergraduate education and so did my spouse (we did it together).

[katwoman]

While I respect the views of pennywise and funnyvalentine, it's obvious that this thread has gone by the wayside.

Personally, I'd like the constructive tips to continue so, mods, would you please move the debate portion somewhere else? Thanks.

[funnyvalentine]

I'm done with the debate; no worries there.