How I’m graduating college debt free…
May 9, 2009 by Tellie
Filed under My Inner Kindlings
One day when I was 17 and still in high school I got a call from the US government and they offered me a job on the spot. Yes, at age 17. They agreed to pay for my school, my books, even to give me a laptop and $1,000/yr in travel money. I accepted the offer, and I’m glad I did. I have a guaranteed job as soon as I am done with college AND I don’t have to go through the interview process. In today’s economy I don’t have to worry about anything when it comes to finding a job!
Since I’ve been in college I’ve actually made money and I haven’t spent a penny neither have my parents. There are many college opportunities out there that require just a 3.0 GPA and a 1000 SAT score on Math and Verbal.
A good way to get school funded is to apply for scholarships.
In addition to the Bill Gates Millenium Scholarship, and all other well. known scholarships try some of the governmental websites. Most government agencies offer some sort of scholarship and most only require the aforementioned 3.0 GPA and 1000 SAT.
There are many benefits that come from working for the government including job stability, retirement plan, guaranteed healthcare (yes you can get health insurance WHILE in school), etc. This is the type of scholarship I obtained and it allows me to do internships that are really intune with my major. Last summer I got to participate in some very important multilateral negotions amongst the WTO and member nations. Also many governmental programs will pay all the way up to your PhD.
You must also be willing to make some sacrifices. Maybe you can’t get a full ride scholarship to a private school, but you can get a full ride to a state public school.
If it saves you $400,000 take it! I myself had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life when it came to colleges. I got accepted to #9 school in America but because it cost $40,000 a semester I decided to go and save some money. It was hard at first, and I had some regrets too, but now I am happy I did so. I know I can still attend the school for graduate school if I so choose, I still have all the credentials and then some.
In addition to all of this I work during summer and winter breaks. I make about $5000+ during the summers and $1500+ during the winter breaks for a grand total of $6500 a year. So after 4 years of college I will have earned $26,000 from internships alone.
In addition to all of this I make sure to take full advantage of all things that come with my scholarship.
I live on campus and eat in the cafeteria. I don’t do fast food (well maybe once a month), and I don’t pay for extra meals. Although the cafeteria doesn’t have the best food I hear its better than most campuses and it saves me money.
Also I get $700 for books each semester. I then borrow books from the library or from friends and end up only spending $200 for books I can’t find elsewhere or other supplies.
Keep a tight budget
I try not to go overboard with the spending but every once and a while I’ll buy a new “gadget” but I think I deserve it 
