From high school dropout to PhD student with only 4k in debt

[gillstone]

Fantastic story of how a high school dropout managed to graduate from college with only 4k in debt by working hard, saving money, using his community college, and not falling for the Ivy League prestige trap.

http://www.vox.com/2015/7/14/8912981/student-debt

[Warlord1986]

Community Colleges are some of the best institutions in America. I had classes with eight people in them. I met immigrants, older students, and other non-traditional students. I went to Richmond to lobby for more funding for CCs. I was always able to find old textbooks either in the campus bookstore, or online. I now have a Master's degree and no debt.

[Trudie]

This is very well-written because it is written in the voice of  a student and vividly expresses the disadvantages some students face.

I love community and technical colleges as well.  The truth is, expensive 4-year colleges are littered with kids who don't know what they're there to study or who may not even be ready for college.  For many, spending a couple of years at a community college would be an excellent choice as they mature and gain confidence.