It’s a reason to celebrate. At the same time, it can be a bittersweet time for many. College tuition and costs can add up. Unless you started saving a while ago to pay for college, you’re likely faced with less than what you need to cover the costs. In our last post, Unprepared for College Tuition, we shared how selecting the right school and applying for FAFSA are options to support a college career. In today’s post, we explore some non-traditional options that could help support those eye-opening college price tags.
There's no rule that says every 18-year-old has to graduate high school and then immediately enroll in college. In fact, in many other countries, the so-called "gap year" is quite common. Students use this time to work at part-time jobs, volunteer, and build their resumes. The difference between a 23-year-old college graduate and a 22-year-old college graduate is negligible. A student working and saving for a whole year could save as much as $10,000 for college. That's enough to defer the cost of tuition. Plus, building a resume could make it much easier to find work on the other side.