Welcome to the proverbial rat race of life: “Keeping up with the Joneses.” We all know, recognize, and some seek to emulate the Joneses. They’re the ones with the high paying jobs who constantly take exotic vacations, buy lavish gifts, and always eat at five-star restaurants. They’re the ones with kids in private school, new cars in the drive away, all the new toys you could imagine and seemingly a limitless budget. They’ve got it all, and they NEVER apply for financial aid. Or so it seems…
Enter the reality of statistics. Most college students receive some sort of financial assistance. According to FinAid.org, two-thirds of all four-year undergraduates leave college with an average of $25,000 in student loan debt. And the total student debt load nationwide is a staggering $1 Trillion dollars!
Now, as a large proponent of higher education, I’ve always realized that good jobs usually require great education. However, I like many, assumed that financial aid was limited for a lower income bracket—I couldn’t have been more wrong. The wealthy, the middle-class, and the lower class alike understand that you don’t have to forfeit your present well being for future rewards; you don’t have to go 10 steps backward financially just to move 2 steps forward. Therefore, in a unified manner—all across America—all income types are applying and qualifying for financial assistance.
I want you to get the most out of life—and that oft requires a college education. So how do you accomplish this task with the annual average expenses nearing $20,000? How do you cash flow college and keep your lifestyle? Well there is hope; I’ll let you in on a few secrets:
1. Financial aid filing isn’t limited to a certain tax bracket or exclusively to only the lower income: The rich, the middle-class, and the poor alike are all seeking financial assistance.
2. There’s no shame or embarrassment in seeking discounts—that’s what the Joneses are doing too! The only shame comes from paying full price and NOT seeking out cost savings.
3. Every year countless scholarships and grants—thousands upon thousands of dollars—are left un-awarded because people didn’t take the time to seek them out or take merely an extra ten minutes to apply.
4. Remember bite size: Every $50, $500 or $5,000 scholarship awarded puts someone that much closer to a college degree—debt free!
So the next time you’re tempted to keep up with the Joneses, get in line—right next to them, apply for the awards, and diligently seek out the savings! For more tips concerning college funding, CLICK HERE to register for a FREE workshop.
