5 Smart Ways to Finish College Debt-Free (My Personal Journey)

Most schools offer ways to earn college credits, whether through AP classes, concurrent enrollment, or post-secondary programs.

If you want to go to college, take classes like these. You’ll have to take them in college anyway, so why not get them done early when they’re free?

Also, if you take the classes in high school, they usually go at a slower pace than they would in college, so they’re actually easier. They will be a bit harder than regular high school classes, but since college is much more challenging than high school, these classes will help prepare you for what’s to come. They can be a great stepping stone to future success.

I took 29 college credits in high school, and 28 of them transferred to the school I now attend. This allowed me to skip my entire first year of college and start as a sophomore.

This saved me a year’s worth of tuition, housing, food, books, and other expenses. It’s a great way to save money.

2. I Work During the Summer for Extra Cash

The next thing I did to make money for college was get a full-time job over the summers when I wasn’t in school.

I work in a factory, and although I don’t like it, it pays well enough to keep me there for the summer. Since it’s just a temporary job, I put up with it. If you want to avoid loans, think long-term: sometimes you have to take a job you don’t like for a while if it helps you achieve your goals.

I tried to save as much as possible from each paycheck by putting it directly into my savings account. The more money you keep in savings, the more you’ll earn in interest every month.

Remember: every penny counts!

I also stopped buying non-essential items like gum and mints. Little things like these may not seem costly, but when you buy them every week, it adds up. If it’s not a necessity, don’t buy it. Save instead!

You can also try to sell your old college textbooks for some extra cash.

Since I work full-time in the summer and over winter breaks, I don’t work during the school year. I take a full class load and focus entirely on my schoolwork and grades. This approach is helping me graduate a year early by taking so many credits each semester.

Additionally, by not having a job and dedicating myself to my studies, I’ve been able to get straight As in all my classes so far. This is crucial, but I’ll discuss more about that shortly.

3. I Applied (and Got) a Scholarship

Another thing every college student should do is apply for scholarships. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, it’s worth checking them out, especially those offered by the school you’re attending.

For instance, I discovered that my college would give me $5,000 right off the bat. Then they informed me that if I retook my ACT and scored just one point higher, they’d more than double my scholarship.

I retook the test, scored higher, and they increased my scholarship to $13,000.

I wasn’t involved in any sports or extracurricular activities. I focused solely on academics in high school and never imagined I could receive such a significant amount, but I did. You’d be surprised what you might qualify for if you just take the time to look and ask.

The best and safest way to find legitimate scholarships (without falling for scams) is by using the U.S. Department of State’s FREE scholarship search tool.

To find available scholarships, you should do the following:

The United States Department of Education suggests (on their blog) checking for available scholarship opportunities through:

• the financial aid office at a college or career school
• a high school or TRIO counselor
• federal agencies
• your state grant agency
• your library’s reference section
• foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups
• organizations and professional associations related to your field of interest
• ethnicity-based organizations
• your employer or your parents’ employers

4. I Made a Deal with My Parents

The last thing I did when preparing for college was talk to my parents. If you have parents who are willing to help you with school, use that opportunity and make a deal with them.

My parents and I agreed that if I maintain straight As and stay in the honors program at my college, they will cover my food, books, car, and phone expenses. That’s a fantastic deal, and I’ve taken full advantage of it.

I work hard in my classes to keep my end of the deal and ensure they’re willing to continue helping me out.

Talk to your parents and see what you can negotiate. For parents, communicate with your kids and set terms if you’re willing to support them.

Most importantly, both sides must keep up their end of the deal! If you slack off in school, don’t be surprised if your parents stop helping you. My dad always tells me, “I don’t fund stupid.” I’m sure your parents wouldn’t want to “fund stupid” either. Make them proud to support you, and show them you’re responsible.

5. I Didn’t, But You Should Take Advantage of Free Money

Crowdfunding sites have revolutionized the way people raise money. You can now fundraise for almost anything, including college. While I personally haven’t used this option, hundreds of thousands of students have.

You can learn more and check out a list of the top 3 crowdfunding sites to get free money for college here.

What’s Next for Me?

Right now, I’m halfway through my second year of college with a year and a half left. I’ll graduate in three years instead of four (and many students take even longer than that).

I have absolutely no loans or debt—and I won’t have any in the future. Plus, I don’t even have a job while I’m in school.

I work hard both in and out of school and take full advantage of the resources available to me, whether through my college or my family. It is possible to get through school without accumulating a lot of debt. You just have to be willing to put in the effort.

Guest Writer Bio: Jordan Elizabeth Borchert is an undergraduate at Bemidji State University in Minnesota. She is pursuing a creative and professional writing degree. So far, she has managed to pay for school out of pocket and has no loans or debt of any kind.