THIS is how you pay for college. Without debt.

[HenryDavid]

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/03/manual-labor-all-night-long-the-reality-of-paying-for-college/388045/

"McLin . . . is attending the University of Louisville for free through a program that pays her tuition if she works the overnight shift at UPS and keeps her grades above a C. The program, called Metropolitan College, has been held up as a model of a public-private partnership, helping students pay for school while filling holes in the workforce."

Some hard working college students demonstrating the badness of their asses.

[jopiquant]

We worked regular jobs during the day and went to school part time. Graduated high school in 1997, but didn't get a bachelor's degree until 2003. Attended community college before transferring to university. DH and I took some courses together, which saved on books and helped with studying. I bet a lot of mustachians went this or a similar route.

[Retire-Canada]

I signed a 10yr contract with the army and got paid while going to university.

-- Vik

[gimp]

I worked coops. 3 coops, 20 months total, pay $25 to $30 an hour, still had $35k debt or so on graduation, though none of it private - made it through the crucible with just government loans, and work.

Times change. Even going to state school, even majoring in something that pays well and offers relevant work, it's hardly easy to pay your way through. So it goes.

Good for her, though. A bit too limiting for my tastes but that's her choice.

[Wings5]

I signed a 10yr contract with the army and got paid while going to university.

-- Vik

 National Guard units in many states offer free in-state tuition.

[Elliot]

Times change. Even going to state school, even majoring in something that pays well and offers relevant work, it's hardly easy to pay your way through. So it goes.

This is me. I worked (parttime, but sometimes two or three jobs) while in school. Went to CC for the first two years, and then finished my bachelor's degree at a state university. I livied in the cheapest campus housing available, got the most modest meal plan, drove a car older than me with >200k mikes, didn't drink, had a prepaid phone. I had some partial scholarships through a couple places but still graduated with ~20k in debt.

[Bob W]

In our state (Missouri)  most high schools have the A+ program.  Follow it's basic rules and receive the first 2 years of community or tech school free.  Then transfer to state school with 9K tuition.   

[Elliot]

I think TN recently 2 years of cc free for most graduating students.

[Neustache]

Community colleges are such a great route to take.  2 years and if you don't qualify for scholarships it's going to cost you around 6K in tuition for 60 credit hours (at least in KC). I had scholarships so it was free for me. 


My kids, unless they have very, very specific plans, will attend community college first and then transfer to a 4 year school.