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It’s no secret that college can be expensive. According to U.S. News & World Report, college tuition costs increased in both public and private schools in the 2023-2024 academic year, leaving the average in-state tuition for public colleges at $10,662 for the year, compared with $42,162 for private colleges. The average cost for out-of-state students at public colleges came to $23,630.

Those are daunting numbers for many, but Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) financial aid advocate Estephany Flores says those prices should not deter anyone from seeking a college education.

“College education comes with a cost but is an investment in your future. While the price might seem high up front, studies consistently show that individuals with a college degree earn significantly more over their lifetime than those without one,” said Flores. “Additionally, resources such as financial aid, scholarships and grants can substantially assist with the cost for many students.”

Flores said one of the most underutilized resources for incoming college students are dual enrollment programs, which permit students to earn college credits at no cost while still in high school.

“By performing well in dual enrollment classes, they earn high school and college credits that can help them jump ahead on their college journey by reducing the number of credits they need to graduate and ultimately lowering tuition costs,” said Flores.

Dr. Reanna Berry, associate professor of accounting at GGC, said there are many ways to save money to pay for college, and it’s unlikely that any one option will be sufficient to cover everything.

“A combination of options will likely be needed,” said Berry, who echoed Flores’ sentiment about dual enrollment, noting that in Georgia, a dual enrollment student typically earns a little over eight hours of course credit, which saves the student an average of $4,122 in tuition costs.

Berry said that while the college or university from which students graduate will be listed on their degrees, they don’t have to take every class there.

“Students will have to take the classes listed on their plan of study to earn their degrees, and most institutions require that they take about the last 30 credit hours at that institution to earn a degree,” said Berry. “But many can save money by taking some classes elsewhere.”

Scholarships are the most well-known way to off-set tuition costs, but Berry said there are plenty of other strategies that can be just as effective. She offered the following tips.

Save ahead of time.

Parents and guardians can save money for several years leading up to their child’s college enrollment. A popular option is to set up a 529 plan, but if that sounds too daunting, even just putting the money in a no-fee, interest-earning savings account is a big help.

Start with a two-year degree.

An associate or two-year degree can be earned at an accredited community college or technical college. This provides the student with a quality education for less tuition. The student can then transfer to a larger school to complete their bachelor’s degree. Even taking a semester or two of courses at a community or technical college can result in significant savings for the student.

Enroll as a transient student.

Students enrolled at a college or university can take courses at a different institution for credit. Taking courses at a less expensive school is one way to save money. Often, smaller colleges, community colleges and technical schools are located near larger, more expensive colleges and universities. 

Alternatively, a student could return home and live with family during the summer while taking courses as a transient student, which provides savings on both tuition and housing expenses.

Always check in advance that courses taken at other schools will transfer to the college or university, as some courses may not be considered equivalent to those required for a student’s degree.

Take AP/IB classes in high school.

Participation in advanced placement courses or international baccalaureate courses is a way to earn college course credit while still in high school. While there is typically no tuition cost for the student, there are testing fees that may or may not be covered by the high school. However, the testing fees are much less than the cost of tuition for the course. Additionally, the student must pass an exam to receive college credit for the course.

Apply for grants.

Grants are money that the government or the institution awards. These typically do not have to be repaid as long as the student fulfills the grant’s requirements, which is usually to complete a degree.

The Pell Grant, offered by the federal government, pays for students demonstrating financial need to attend college. Sometimes, students may not realize they qualify for this, so it is important to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Consider veterans’ benefits.

Funding for college is available to veterans and their children through the government and various organizations. Some of the funding requires that a degree be completed to avoid repayment. Be sure to only interact with reputable organizations.

Work study or part-time jobs.

Work study programs are available to college students demonstrating financial need. Completing the FAFSA form will provide the information necessary for the government and the college or university to determine if a student qualifies. The benefits of participating in a work-study program include working directly for the school in a job that may be related to the student’s field of study.

Part-time, off-campus jobs can help students make ends meet, but the student must manage their schedule to still do well in school. Working only during the summer and holiday breaks may be one way for students to earn some money but still have sufficient time during the semester to excel in their coursework.

Berry emphasized that college loans should be a last resort, used only after every other available option has been exhausted.

“If students decide to take out loans, focus on federally subsidized loans because the government pays the interest on these loans until they graduate,” she said, adding that people should also be acutely aware of scams.

“You should never have to pay money to get college funding,” Berry said. “Obtaining college funding is free. Filling out the FAFSA is free, scholarship applications are free, etc. It is a scam if you are asked to pay an up-front fee or a processing fee. Also, be wary of anyone offering their services for hire, such as scholarship coaches or college loan advisors.”

High schools and colleges can also assist students with questions for free.

“GGC students have a leg up on financing right off the bat since it is one of the most affordable colleges in Georgia,” said Flores. “This affordability has allowed many first-generation college students to seek a GGC degree.”

To anyone hesitating to apply to college because they don’t think they can afford it, Flores had this to say:

“I want to emphasize that aid is available from federal and state aid to external and institutional scholarships. There are numerous avenues to explore for financial assistance. Always reach out to the college’s financial aid office for personalized guidance and support if students have any specific questions, as we are here to help.”