How do I send my child to college without going broke?

Asked by: Nettie Wolff  |  Last update: January 24, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (2 votes)

How to Help Your Kids Pay for College Without Going Broke
  1. Be a Realist: Set Financial Boundaries Early.
  2. Go on College Tours with Your Kids.
  3. Invest in Advanced Placement and High Test Scores.
  4. Understand How Your Financial Decisions Impact Their Aid.
  5. Scholarships, Grants, and Loans: Finding the Right Balance.

How to send your child to college without money?

Once again, here's our list of steps for how to pay for college with no money:
  1. Apply for scholarships.
  2. Apply for in-state public college.
  3. Look into filling out the FAFSA as an independent student.
  4. Apply to need-blind schools that meet 100% of demonstrated need.
  5. Get a work-study or campus job.
  6. Make a strong budget.

How do parents afford to send kids to college?

Talk about what colleges and universities your child will be able to afford on that budget, including room and board and books. Point them to resources like grants, scholarships, work-study, part-or full-time jobs, federal loans, and private loans to finance it. Research the costs and benefits to each option.

What is the average cost of sending a child to college?

The average cost of attendance for a student living on campus at an in-state public 4-year institution is $27,146 per year or $108,584 over 4 years. Out-of-state students pay $45,708 per year or $182,832 over 4 years. Private, nonprofit university students pay $58,628 per year or $234,512 over 4 years.

How can I go to college if I have no money?

You could go to a community college and have FAFSA cover you entirely, (just off of grants and scholarships) which basically makes it free. For universities FAFSA will cover a huge amount, but depending on the university you might have to pay more back.

How to Pay For College Without Going Broke

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What are 3 ways you pay for college if you do not have any money?

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  • Apply for scholarships.
  • Request an aid adjustment.
  • Explore additional needs-based programs.
  • Find part-time work.
  • Ask about tuition payment plans.
  • Request additional federal student loans.
  • Research private or alternative loans.

Is free college possible?

Free college programs already exist in a number of states

Programs in California and Montana are authorized but not yet implemented.

How do most parents pay for college?

Most families pay for college using some combination of savings, income and financial aid. Financial aid is money you receive to help cover college costs. Some financial aid, like grants and scholarships, doesn't need to be repaid. Financial aid can also come in the form of loans — money you have to repay.

What is the best college fund for a child?

A 529 plan is a great way to save for your little one's education, but it isn't the only way. You could put some of your college savings in a 529, some in a traditional savings account, and sprinkle a little more into a Roth IRA.

How much money do you need to save to send your child to college?

Ideally, you should save at least $250 per month if you anticipate your child attending an in-state college (four years, public), $450 per month for an out-of-state public four-year college, and $550 per month for a private non-profit four-year college, from birth to college enrollment.

What if my parents can't afford to send me to college?

You have multiple options to consider, including federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, a job and student loans. Although paying for college by yourself is a huge financial undertaking, it's possible with enough research, hard work and planning.

Is college tuition based on parents' income?

The FAFSA formula doesn't expect students or families to use all of their adjusted available income to pay for college. The formula allocates 50 percent of a dependent student's adjusted available income to cover college expenses and anywhere from 22 to 47 percent of parents' available income.

What if I can't afford college for my child?

Grants, work-study funds, loans, and scholarships help make college or career school affordable. Financial aid can come from federal, state, school, and private sources to help you pay for college or career school.

How to pay for college with nothing saved?

Some options to help with paying for college include applying for scholarships and grants, looking into work-study options, cutting costs and applying for loans. You can still look into saving for future education with 529 plans, which allow contributions through investments.

What does Dave Ramsey say about paying for college?

original sound - Dave Ramsey

Going to college is not necessary to exist on this planet. Education is absolutely wonderful and vital, and I think everyone who wants to go to college should. Just don't go thinking that a diploma will be your ticket to a successful life. And definitely don't go into debt to get a degree.

Does FAFSA reduce tuition?

The financial aid awarded based on the FAFSA can be used to pay for the college's full cost of attendance, which includes tuition and fees. While it is possible for student financial aid to cover full tuition, in practice it will fall short.

What happens to 529 if kid doesn't go to college?

If your child decides not to attend college, the funds can be used at any eligible educational institution offering higher education beyond high school, including some overseas, trade or vocational schools eligible to participate in a student aid program run by the U.S. Department of Education.

How can I afford to send my child to college?

Scholarships, grants, financial aid, loans, and your and your child's income from working while in school may also help cover expenses. Work with a financial planner. A financial planner will help you better determine the amount of savings that makes sense for you.

What states make parents pay for college?

There are some states (Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, and Washington) that give ...

Do colleges look at parents income?

The primary and most important reason colleges collect information on your parents' income is to determine your financial need. Your family's financial situation plays a significant role in the financial aid you may receive.

What is a parent plus loan?

Direct PLUS Loans for parents are unsubsidized loans made to parents of dependent undergraduate students. If a student's parents cannot get a parent PLUS loan, the student may be eligible to receive additional unsubsidized loans. Learn more about parent PLUS loans.

What college is tuition-free?

Some colleges offer scholarships for eligible Native American students regardless of financial need. The University of Rochester School of Nursing, the University of Olivet, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine offer free tuition for all students.

What is the America's college Promise Act?

The America's College Promise Act of 2023 will create a new federal-state partnership to provide two years of tuition-free community college, making the skills and credentials necessary to succeed in our economy more accessible by waiving tuition fees for eligible students.

How to pay for school with no money?

When looking to pay for college, you should consider grants, scholarships, work study and loans. A grant is money that you will not have to pay back. Unlike loans, grants are free money that can be used to pay for school. Grants usually come from the state, government or the college you are attending.