This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Avoid student loans. Avoid student loans. Avoid student loans.
Student loans do one thing: they set you back financially and prevent you from enjoying the high salary higher education affords you.
Many associates completed a doctorate or master’s degree but have lump sums of debt they owe.
They will have that debt for quite a long-time unless they buckle down and formulate a quick payoff plan, which will require large sums of money every month.
I got a free ride to school through a military scholarship, but I opted out and chose another path. I knew student loans would never hold me back because I had a mindset that would never allow me to become subdued by college debt.
There are too many ways to go to school for free, which include:
Employment – many employers will happily pay for your education.
Military – I was able to get a free scholarship from the military. I also have many family members that have been able to utilize military benefits to help pay for their schooling.
Scholarships – Some scholarships go unused yearly because enough people don’t apply or are unaware of the opportunity. There are endless amounts of scholarships available to the masses. And many of these scholarships do not require any kind of academic qualification.
Work-study programs – I completed a work-study program during college. It didn’t pay much, but it was something. And the less you need to pay for your school, the fewer student loans you will have to manage after graduation.
Grants – I applied for three different grants during my schooling. One was income-driven, and the others I randomly applied to without knowing I could get offers, and I did! I was so grateful. Grants can also be reoccurring, which means free money each semester, which significantly helps reduce the financial load.
Work full-time and go to school part-time – I’ve come across many students that work full-time but go to school part-time because they are adamant about not creating more debt for themselves. I respect this decision. Though it can take them a bit longer, the time will pass by anyway.
Other programs – Several government programs will pay for your school in return for providing them with x years of service; this applies to nurses, teachers, and other federal or government jobs.
Fundraise – If you’re a first-generation student, you can fundraise to shift the educational dynamic in your family. People will be happy to support you because they want to better the future generations after you.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.