The one thing stopping people from studying further are finances. Students across the globe have to crunch numbers, make arrangements and ask the important question, “who and how will I be paying for college?”
How to pay for College
So you have just finished high school or you are considering learning later in life? How will you pay for it all? Study fees are one of the biggest challenges to overcome when studying further. If it’s not the course fees, it’s the study material and additional costs that are enough to give anyone a headache. While paying for college is a big stressor, there are options available to you that could take away some of your anxiety.
Without Loans
If you are eager to avoid taking out a loan to study further then enrolling into a Distance Learning College will cut many costs. Distance Learning and Online Learning colleges are generally cheaper than traditional colleges and universities. There are many financial perks attached to distance learning. You will not be attending class so this cuts out the cost of travelling fees and additional costs like lunch money. Your learning will take place at home so you also do not need to give out money for staying on campus residential sites. Avoiding loans may seem impossible, but sometimes it is a smarter idea to avoid being tied down to high interest rates.
With Loans
If you do not meet the requirements for any scholarships or grants you can take out student loans to pay for college. While the loan is for educational purposes you will still have to pay back the money you have borrowed with interest. Many people spend years after leaving college still repaying their student loans. This is why you need to think carefully about how much money you loan and research which banks and payment plans will work best for you. When making student loans only borrow money from credible sources.
By Yourself
If you are paying for college yourself you might have to take on a part-time job while studying. Many students have to choose this as their strategy for handling their finances. The perk about this is that you are able to gain work experience while studying. However, your busy schedule may prohibit you from giving enough attention to your studies. The only way a work/student balance can be achieved is if your schedule is flexible enough. Finding time to study while working can be difficult, but with distance learning it is achievable as there are no fixed routines to follow.
Another important way to take on the finances of further studies yourself, is to save. If you are thinking of studying further, start saving ahead of time to try and manage the financial burden. It might be hard, but tucking away any extra savings you have will help with paying for college. Ditch the take-outs and eat in, avoid the fancy restaurants and visit the beach instead for an affordable day out. These tiny adjustments will contribute to your savings and assist with your financial responsibilities.
With Scholarships
There are a wide variety of scholarships and grants that are available to students. Some scholarships are based on merit. This means in order to qualify for these scholarships and grants you must obtain certain results. Others are based on your situation, location, the school you are attending, or even the course you will enrol into.
Grants are mostly needs-based. They check whether or not your income is enough to be able to manage on your own. In South Africa the most common financial grant for higher education is NSFAS. NSFAS is a financial aid scheme which aims to assist poor students with finances to be able to complete their studies. It is funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Studying further will ultimately lead to financial freedom and higher quality of life. Obtaining official training will help you get a good job, earn more and contribute to your self-esteem. The finances attached to studying further is stressful, but worth it in the end.
Creative Ways to pay for College
We are sure you have thought of every possible way to pay for college. There are many ways to try and curb your financial stress. There are some creative ways to earn extra money to contribute towards your college fund.
Deliver Food
Take on an extra job delivering food. Sign up with delivery services like UBER EATS and Mr Delivery. Delivering food is a great and creative way to earn some extra money and you could make a killing off of tips!
Set up a Tutoring Business
College students are always in demand for some tutoring gigs. Especially now that many parents are choosing to homeschool their children, your service could really be in demand. Not only are you able to set up your own schedule with tutoring, but you can also determine your own rates.
Make use of Your Entrepreneurial Skills
If you have a skill consider selling your services in order to make some extra money. Maybe you can do make-up really good and offer up your services to brides for the upcoming wedding. If you are an avid clothing designer you could make and sell clothing.
Financial Benefits When Studying With Skills Academy
Skills Academy prioritizes learning for all. Along with our low entry requirements, adult matric and courses you can complete without matric we also have a range of financial benefits when you study with us.
- Study Fast, Pay Less: If your course duration is 8 months, but you happen to complete your course within 5 months you only pay for the 5 months you studied. The faster you complete your course, the less money you pay.
- Course Material Covered in Your Course Fees: You won’t have to pay extra money for textbooks. The study material we provide to you is covered in your course fees. All you will have to provide for yourself is paper and notebooks.
- No Travelling: Our studies are not class or location bound. You will not have to travel to campus everyday which saves not only your time, but also your money.
With these great perks you won’t have to spend hours budgeting. Simply enrol with us and save tons of money.
Ready for Affordable Education?
Studying further does not have to break your bank. Affordable, credible and world-class education is available to you at affordable rates. Skills Academy is ready to help you save on studies. Contact us today – our consultants are ready to assist.
- Complete our online contact form
- Call us on our toll-free number at 0800 39 0027
