Alternative Funding Options

$$  College Payment Plans: Most colleges have payment plans that will split up that big tuition bill over the course of 'x' number of months instead of coughing it up all at once before school starts.

$$ Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC): Graduating seniors may apply for competitive four-year ROTC scholarships.  These scholarships typically cover the costs of tuition, fees, books, and provide a monthly stipend. A student must meet certain physical and academic requirements and agree to accept an appointment as a commissioned officer in the military after graduation in order to qualify for one of these scholarships. A minimum of four years’ active and two years’ reserve duty is required.
There are different procedures, requirements, and benefits associated with each of the three military services offering ROTC programs.  In addition to ROTC programs, there are other special programs that provide financial aid for education to students who promise to fulfill a term of military service after graduation.  In these other programs, officer training occurs during summer vacations or after college.

$$ AmeriCorps - national service program that allows people of all ages and backgrounds to earn help paying for education in exchange for a year of service.  It's an excellent resume builder too!

$$ ACT 101 program provides academic and financial support services for Pennsylvania undergraduate students attending a college who has an ACT 101 program.  The program is for Pennsylvania resident students whose cultural, economic, and educational disadvantages might impede their ability to successfully pursue higher education opportunities, make good academic progress, or graduate.  You must be:

• Economically disadvantaged:
  • Having an annual family income equal to or less than 200% of the family income level based on federal poverty guidelines.
• Educationally disadvantaged:
  • Having a predicted grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or less.
  • The prediction shall be based upon the criteria and formula regularly used by the institution of higher education to select students for admission.
• Enrolled at a participating Act 101 institution:
  • Full-time = carrying at least 12 credits in a semester.
  • Part-time = carrying at least 6 (but less than 12) credits in a semester.

$$ Student Support Services is offered at certain colleges to provide academic tutoring (reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects); advice and assistance in postsecondary course selection, assist student with information on both the full range of student financial aid programs, benefits and resources for locating public and private scholarships; assistance in completing financial aid applications; education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy and assist students in applying for admission to graduate and professional programs; and assist students enrolled in two year institutions and applying for admission to, and obtaining financial assistance for enrollment in four-year programs.

$$ Become a Residence Assistant (RA): Dorm life can be stressful.  RAs help by mediating roommate issues, monitoring floors, and sometimes even helping to organize fun events.  At many colleges, RAs can get a FREE single dorm room.  That can help take a bite out of college expenses.

$$ Odd Jobs: College students can earn money just by being a good student.  If you take good notes in class, check out opportunities to sell your notes through reputable businesses around campus.  (For example, Penn State's main campus has 'Nittany Notes' where you can be paid to be a note taker.)  Offer to type up papers for a certain fee per page or think up something else that will not only help you with life and study skills but earn you some cash.  Offer to clean rooms or do laundry for those messy floor mates of your dormitory.  If you are handy, offer to fix things for people.

$$ AP Testing, CLEP, Community College, and Distance Learning courses can save a bundle!

AP (Advanced Placement) Testing:  If you are in an AP class in high school, you can consider taking the AP test for that subject.  If you score high enough you can earn college credits. It is graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with a 3 constituting a passing grade and a 4 or 5 being even more desirable. Many universities offer course credit for a high score or allow students to skip the corresponding class in college. APs also give added heft to a college application, because they tell admissions officers that the applicant has taken and succeeded at college-level work, plus the grades are “weighted,” i.e., a B in an AP class is worth an A in a regular class.
For details go to http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html

$$ CLEP (College Level Examination Program):  Get credit for what you already know.  If you pass the CLEP exam for a certain subject you may be able to skip certain courses in college, get credit for them, and save money.
For details go to http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html

$$ Community Colleges and Distance Learning can offer classes at great prices.  Set up classes at a community college to transfer into the college you are attending or take online or other distance learning classes from your college.  They can sometimes be cheaper than the on campus classes.  Check with the college where you intend to enroll for details.

$$ TAP (Tuition Account Program of PA) can help you save money for college at today’s tuition rates, not tomorrow’s.  Call 1-800-440-4000 and read PHEAA's information on this program too.

$$ Take advantage of In-State-Tuition rates within PA and In-County Tuition rates at a local county community college.
Be aware that Out-of-state tuition is sometimes double the In-state tuition.  Staying in PA allows you to all of your State Grants eligibility too.  When you go to school outside of Pennsylvania you sacrifice most if not all of your State Grant.

$$ Take more credits!...as long as you can handle the load.  If you are only paying for the first 12 or 14 credits for full time tuition, take 15-18 credits since the additional credits would be free.  Remember that you have to earn a C or better in your courses to keep financial aid, keep your GPA up for your intended major and scholarships, and get good grades anyway so don't take more than you can manage.  Also, you often have to have an advisor sign of on schedules of more than 18 credits.

$$ EDUCATION LOYALTY AND AFFINITY PROGRAMS:

     UPromise members can automatically earn a percentage of everyday purchases at participating grocery, drug, retail, online, and restaurant locations nationwide. It's free and this money can then be:

• simply saved,
• invested into 529 college savings plans, or
• used to repay student loans faster.

     BabyMint members can shop at a participating retailer, and you will earn a contribution toward your college savings. You may choose to have your earnings:

• sent to you via check,
• directed into another BabyMint member's account, or
• deposited directly into your college savings account, including almost any state 529 Plan or Coverdell Educational Savings Account.