Unexpected College Costs: Readers' Edition

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Avoid expense through a conservative lifestyle! No birth control necessary; no extra funds for nightlife -- Avoid sex; avoid partying and nightlife; -- STUDY and be responsible and sensible!
Wow, what a concept! It saves $ !

Chris of TX 3:38PM August 05, 2009

1. Encourage good marks in high school to earn scholarships
2. Talk with college administration about breaking up consecutive education years with employment-to-earn-tuition years. Hard on the social life, but gets money in on a pay as you go basis which eliminates doubling debts with interest on college loans.
3. Graduate schools seem to prefer that accepted students defer matriculating and put in a year or two of employment in the field. Makes better students.

Jo Williams of CT 7:22PM July 31, 2009

Get your kids some college credit while still in high school.
There are (so it's said here at USNWR) some 200 high schools partnered with colleges where it is possible to get an entire 2-year associate's degree while still in high school---for free or nearly free.
SEARCH for any dual-credit opportunities you can find. You'll be more motivated in high school that way, anyhow.
It's hard to imagine ANYTHING that can compare to the cost savings of being in college two years less AND being in the paid work force two years sooner.

Muser of NM 3:41PM July 31, 2009

my single biggest expense in grad school was housing, and it's not that it was unexpected, it's just that in my planning, I hadn't factored in the cost of living in NYC. While my tuition was reasonable, the cost of living nearly tripled my debt from my reasonable undergrad debt of less than 40, to what it stands today at 113K (although that does include capitalized interest). There really was no way to avoid the debt, as housing costs aren't all that cheap in the tri-state area. It was either work full time and take forever to finish my master's degree, or work part-time and crank out the work in 2 years (well 3 after I decided to become license-eligible).
The other "hidden" cost is when the program requires field work. You pay for the credits, and in return you're an indentured servant. You're doing your field work when you would normally be doing your real job. My friend had to cut back her hours as a paralegal to do her field work hours. I at least had a flexible boss, so if I wanted to do my datawork from home or later in the evening, it was fine by her.

veronica of NY 2:49PM July 31, 2009

My kid is working at Jones Beach, Long Island, NY for the summer. He will use that money for any entertainment expenses.
And don't you have guidance counselors that help with professional goals.
Most colleges provide health insurance at a minimal cost to students.
Stop babying your college-age kids and give them mroe responsibility. It will mature them now and into their future!

Catherine McEntee of NY 11:02AM July 31, 2009