Paying for School is NOT Scary. Here's Why:

First, You Are NOT Alone.
Talk to your school's financial aid advisor. This is a great way to understand both your new school's financial aid policies, and your eligibility to receive loans, grants, and scholarships. And you can get loans from both the government and private education lending companies. Usually government – or federal – loans have lower interest rates and higher maximum dollar amounts while private lenders will have higher interest rates and lower maximum amounts. You can get grants (which is money from local or federal government that you do not have to pay back) from the state if you have financial hardship, academic merit, or meet other requirements that your state or school may have. Scholarships, also, are numerous and quite attainable. You can receive scholarships (again, money you do not have to pay back) from a vast amount of sources who are searching for viable candidates to receive their contributions based on heritage, interest, skills, abilities, and participation in essay contests or the like. Do some research; find out what is available nationally and in your area. There are people and organizations that want to see you go to school and are willing to lend or give you the money! Pretty exciting. Not to mention: School loan budgets usually include rent, food, transportation, books, and tuition. Start the process today! Call your school's financial aid advisor.

Second, No Payments While You're in School.
Most loans you take out do not require payments until after you graduate! This is called the "deferment period", and after you graduate you usually get around 6 months to secure work and a steady income, which is called a "grace period." Be sure to discuss the details of repayment options and policies with your lenders, but deferment and grace periods are typically industry standard. The benefit of this is really quite nice from an investment perspective. You earn an education and increase your professional value and earning potential. After graduation, loan payments are manageable and well worth price! You should find yourself with more disposable income even with your school loan payments in effect! An investment in education is an investment in your financial, intellectual, and professional future. It is a wise investment and totally possible for anyone.

Third, School Pays For Itself!
The 2004 U.S. Census data is out and the numbers should calm your fears and excite your motivation to succeed! Let's start with the average annual income earning potential of high school graduates: $26,156 a year. That can pay the rent, but there's no promise of salary growth for the future. Let's say you spent a few years and earned your Associate's degree at night and on weekends. Your average annual income is now $35,103 a year. Not bad! After 5 years of working, you would have an extra $44,735 in the bank – a compelling perk in exchange for earning your degree Now let's say you found a subject that really lights your fire and you earned your Bachelor's degree (entirely online from your home? Sure, why not!). Now you're making an average of $49,656 a year. I don't have to tell you what you'll earn over time. This number speaks for itself. Now you have your Bachelor's, your school loan payments have set in and you're making regular payments. Is it time to go for that Master's? Maybe it is. You assess your interests, and your next career direction is clear. After you get your Master's you're earning an average of $65,190 per year. Think you can afford a few extra dollars a month to cover some more school loans? Probably. And don't forget, when you're in school, you can apply for deferment status so you make no payments while you're still attending classes. The last phase: your Doctorate will deliver an average of $92,378 per year. That's close to 6 figures and that's anyone's goal. The point: don't be afraid to invest in yourself. It's the best thing you can do to secure a profitable future and a career that you can be proud of. Contact your next school today. Get there.