5 weird ways to pay for college

Teach for America is a load of crap.

My daughter is at Cornel, has busted her butt studying to be a teacher and will graduate next month with two degrees. She has been accepted to Cornel graduate school to get her masters. So far, I owe $70,000, and the graduate school is  going to set us back more. Whatever, she's my daughter and I do what I can for her.

Be that as it may, she applied to Teach for America, primarily because it will help her get started in her career, and help pay back our loans. Although she went to three eight hour interviews, she was rejected. Why? Because she actually wants to be a teacher. Imagine that.

Teach for America isn't interested in finding top teachers. They want fund raising people to help generate cash for their political agenda. The Princeton woman who started T for A is a BS artist.

@ Someone (all the hype)

Put simply, your student gets scholarships by applying for them.  
My recommendation would be to first fill out the FAFSA (Federal Application For Student Aid) form (google it, it's a government form and secure to do, make sure the site you use is a ".gov" site) just so you are aware, that form will require your (the parents) income for the past year and your tax return for the past year as well... it is normal and how they figure some of what the student will get in federal grants.  Most colleges require that this form is filled out for all incoming students.
Then ask the counselors at his school for a list of scholarships that they think he/she would qualify for.
Have your student get a couple of letters of recommendation from at least two teachers (that always helps out)
Then just keep googling for scholarships and apply, apply, apply....
Most require an essay, usually on different subjects, but sometimes the essay just wants to know why your student feels that he/she deserves the scholarship. 
Apply for everything that sounds remotely like something your student may qualify for.... even if it's only for $500.00... because if you get 4 of those, it adds up quickly.... and as you can well imagine, every little bit helps.
There are even scholarships out there for a laptop (which most colleges require that incoming students bring with them)
Hope this information helps!   Good luck and God bless!!!

The suggestions in this article are all excellent.  I have a few more that I used myself, as my health put the military option out of the question.

1.  Forget the Ivy League college.  They're overrated.  Go to a local college and stay home with your parents.  Massive savings right off the bat.  Even better if your area has a good public transportation system; then you don't have to worry about auto expenses.

2.  Remember the old WW-2 adage:  Use it up, wear it out; make it do, or do without.  Translation:  What's with the buying a whole new wardrobe to start college?  If your old clothes still fit and are still in good condition, keep using them.  Save fashion concerns for when you have a job and are making money.  If you're sitting in a classroom all day, why bother dressing to the nines?  Try jeans and T-shirts.  They're cheaper and a heckuva lot more comfortable.  If you absolutely MUST buy something, consider Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other such stores.  (If you buy used shoes, either make sure they've been resoled, or have it done before you wear them!)  Ladies, forget matching the shoes to the outfit.  Get two pairs of shoes:  Something comfortable for everyday wear, and something better for going out.  Period. 

3.   Skip the cafeteria and bring your own lunch from home.  Not only is it cheaper, the food'll be better, too.  ;D

4.   You're not likely to have study periods to do your homework in; expect to have to do it at home.  Apply a little self-discipline and limit social outings to weekends only---AFTER the homework's done.  I'm talking to you social butterflies out there.  It might cramp your style a bit, but socializing isn't why you're going to college, anyway.

In short, the key word is one that's become something of a dirty word these days;  SACRIFICE!  If you can possibly get by without (fill in the blank), then skip it.  That way, it may even be possible to get through college without having to shoehorn in a part-time job, depending on how much your scholarship and/or grants will cover.

I have an Idea ..... 

I think it's to the point today where we have to get a lot more creative with independent thinking about how to come up and implement a new affordable/cost effective educational system ... like taking individual class courses by (Accredited CD Course Purchases) .... Study at Home by CD ... Tests given on CD ... And then when ready .... take a State Exam showing you've passed each Course to acquire the Degree you wish to acquire that is Cost Effective for everybody.  Not by expensive on- line Courses which are way too expensive for to days Students & Economy.  Student Loans today are ridiculously way out of line and expensive not only for the Students but for Parents too.  One should not have to forfit your mortgage or one's life to get an education! 

MaryAnne

LV, NV 

When I saw the title of this article I thought what a great idea to forward to my son UNTIL I read it! Be a guinea pig, help others reproduce with your sperm, Beg? Are you out of your minds? Do you actually think this information is wise to offer to the average college student? How much blood would they have to give to even begin to save and giving sperm is advice to pay back loans? Begging on-line and risking insane people to attack a student who might be offguard is advice? Why not ask them to go trick or treating and save the change next? Or opening a business online? Do you realize how hard it is to find a niche where selling is that profitable plus when would the student study? Just because one person was able to do it does not mean it's the answer for most students. Selling is extremely time consuming and serious students study all the time and have tons of projects. If all of us knew how to save to pay back $50 gran per year on our own then we would jump at the chance and our nation wouldn't be in the mess we are in. Maybe you can find the answer to our failing economy and run for President too in your next article. Be REALISTIC.