Here's a quick reader poll for Tuesday:
What was the primary way that you paid for your personal college experience?
1) I worked my way through school.
2) I got student loans.
3) I got scholarships and grants.
4) My parents paid for college.
5) I didn't attend college.
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Mine was a combination of loans, Pell grants and working. I graduated a decade ago and have since become a pro at dodging my loan officers via deferments!
I didn’t go to college until I was married and had three kids, so my husband and I paid for my college, with the help of a few small scholarships. This was thirty years ago, when it was possible to work one’s way through college. College costs today are so astronomical that I can’t imagine being able to do so. I also think that it is wrong that colleges offer students “aid packages” that sound good but turn out to consist mainly of loans. Students graduate from college owing huge sums. That may be acceptable for doctors and lawyers, but what about those who want to be journalists or teachers or social workers? They will have a hard time making a living wage, much less paying off debts.
I personally paid for my education by working. It gave me a lot of incentive to do my best as it was my money I was spending.
Between undergrad and law school, I used each of 1 through 4.
For grad school, thank goodness, I got a fellowship and won’t have to add to my education debt.