So, you want to go to college? You are not alone. 21 million people go to college every year. A college degree has become almost a requirement for people to get priority consideration for a great career.
Some people turn to higher education for a profitable career rather than a career that is profitable and satisfying. While college offers a great variety of majors, half of them do not offer moderate income potential.
The worst-paying majors tend to be in the arts, where the low pay is matched by its high unemployment rate. The music, film, photography, theater, and fine arts industries all pay about a $30,000 starting salary to graduates. In some industries, it has become the new high school diploma for getting some of the lowest paying jobs.
One example is the Atlanta law firm, Slipakoff and Schuh, who requires a bachelor’s degree for an in-house courier position that pays only $10 an hour.
As we have seen inflation affect the cost of living over the years, it has affected the cost of education too.
Today, most hiring managers feel that people with high school diplomas are not as educated and capable of performing their jobs. They need the maturity and extra knowledge that a four year degree yields, which means that jobs that used to be reserved for high school graduates are now given to those with a bachelor’s degree.
So, a student has to borrow tens of thousands of dollars for credentials that may not yield a return on investment. Who looks forward to being in debt for the rest of their life?
This reality does not inspire people to go to college. The average cost of a bachelor’s degree varies depending on the type of higher education institution and its prestige. It can range anywhere from $35,570 to $120,375.
Anyone who graduates from college should be rewarded appropriately. Having a 4 year degree shows a degree of dedication. Moreover, a college education could be much more valuable if it was free.
Fortunately, University of the People has become a solution. They have three baccalaureate degree programs in health science, business administration and computer science. They also have a graduate degree program for business administration.
A tuition-free degree is ideal for students who live in our struggling economy. They may not have to settle for a low paying job if they do not have to worry about student loan debt.
Thankfully, there are other programs that grant people the opportunity to study for free. Most of these programs will pay for tuition costs only, which leaves you responsible for the miscellaneous fees. However, there are a few programs that pay for everything. Some of these programs are open to general public while others are reserved to particular people.
Full Scholarships
University of Akron
Akron Public Schools Innovation Generation Scholarship
- Students enrolled in Akron public schools who apply for admission are automatically considered for the scholarship
- Some APS seniors will be promised a tuition-free college degree
Lorain County Community College
Diversity Incentive Award
- New Lorain County high school grads who earn a minimum 2.5 high school GPA by the end of the 6th semester high school grading period and are of African American, Hispanic, Pacific Island, Middle Eastern, Native American, Indian or Asian descent
- The award will cover 3 years or 72 credits
- Each recipient must enroll at LCCC on a full-time basis and work a job either on or off campus. Recipients must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 each semester to maintain award eligibility
Oklahoma’s Promise
- Pays full tuition at public universities and portion of tuition at private universities
- Must be a student residing in Oklahoma
- Must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the U.S.
- Have a household federal adjusted gross income that doesn’t exceed $100,000
- Must have at least a 2.0 GPA for courses taken during the sophomore semester and at least a 2.5 GPA for courses taken during the junior semester and thereafter
My Last Words
College is expensive, but it does not have to be expensive for you. You do not need to graduate from college to reach the finish line unless the profession requires a degree.
Although, if you do choose to go to college, there are many tuition-free programs for various degree programs.
This is an excerpt from the international bestselling book, Reaching The Finish Line.
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