Good Afternoon Families,
Happy Saturday. I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful fall weather!
I wanted to touch base about a topic that is difficult for some students to understand, especially high school students.
Many high school seniors students are visiting four year universities all across the United States. They want to have that, " College Experience." Some students do not understand the price it pays to attend the universities. This is my thoughts on not attending the four year universities, yet! After high school, if going to college is your choice, why not attend a community college first?
Community College is always overlooked. Students don't want to stay around their hometown and attend their locate Community College...why not? You don't want to miss out on your, " experience?", You want to spread your options? You want to be independent?
Awesome!
If that is what you're set on, then stop reading. I'm not going to change your mind, but keep reading if you want to hear what I have to say.
I am going to take my personal experience for example. I graduated Alton High School in 2013. I wanted to go away to college SO BAD! I didn't want to live with my parents anymore. I wanted to find who I was. (HA!) My parents and grandpa wanted me to stay close to home. Attend the community college in my hometown. I didn't want to do that. So, my parents and grandpa just said, " Ok. Let's start looking." Once I started looking, I was paying attention to the dollar signs. Thousands and thousands of dollars for a year! Don't forget, freshman in college have to live in a dorm and with another person. Sometimes, a stranger! Goodness. I could of had my own dorm room, but guess what? More money out of my pocket.
Now, at this point you might be thinking...
There is financial aid.
I could get scholarships.
I can work full-time as well.
My parents will help me.
I am going to tell you, again, this is my personal experience. Everybody has their own story. I couldn't work full- time because I had classes Monday-Friday. Three days out of the week I would have classes between 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Those days, I was mentally and physically exhausted.
I will get to the financial aid, scholarships, and the parents later on.
It wasn't until June of 2013, where I finally told my parents I was just going to attend Lewis and Clark Community College. That was the smartest decision I have ever made in my eighteen years. I lived at home, I worked part-time, and since I was a good student in high school I did receive scholarships. I went there for two-years. I didn't have to live in a dorm( money in my pocket), I didn't have to pay for a parking pass ( money in my pocket), and I had home cook meals every night( money in my pocket and my mom is an angel.) I saved thousands and thousands of dollars. My college textbooks, I rented them next to nothing. I graduated Lewis and Clark Community College with my Associates in Science of May 2015.
I had to pay $2,500 for my Associates Degree. That was after my scholarships. I didn't receive any financial aid. Did you know what? I paid it off through the first two years of my college career.
DEBT FREE.
Now, I was able to go off to that four year university and I attend Lindenwood University Fall of 2015. I lived in Women's Housing. Not a dorm, because I had enough college credit I wasn't considered a Freshman, but a Junior in college. Yes, I had my " random" roommates, but come to find out they weren't as bad as I expected. Lucky me!
I graduated Lindenwood University with about $25, 000 in debt. That was high for me, but just for two years? Unbelievable. That included scholarships, financial aid, parking was free ( which was awesome), and my parents did help me.
Unbelievable, but I am debt free from Lindenwood University.
How am I already debt free and finishing my undergrad a couple of years ago? Community College.
When seniors ask me what should they do for college I always tell them community college first. They don't realize it now, but they will when they're older.
When you're trying to get yourself on your feet and start your life you don't want your, " College Debt" hanging over head. You want to do something with your degree and make a life from yourself.
So, the future is in your hands. Choose wisely. Your future self will thank you.
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I am going to link Lewis and Clark Community College tuition website, Lindenwood University tuition, and the average student loan debt. I hope this opens your eyes to your future.
www.lc.edu/Tuition_and_Fees/
https://www.lindenwood.edu/admissions/freshman-admissions/tuition-and-costs/
www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/state-of-student-loan-debt/