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[–] sakuramboo ago 

I worked while going and paid off 2/3 by the time I graduated. I deferred payments for 1 year because I could not find a job in my field. Then when I started working I paid it off the following year.

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[–] ConceptualMan [S] ago 

What field if i may ask?

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[–] sakuramboo ago 

I majored in computer animation but now I'm a linux admin.

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[–] Mathurin1911 ago 

My folks saved a college fund, not much, enough for 2 years, my brother went into trades, I worked fast food, lived at home and stretched the fund to an MBA...... which I got in 2008..... fffffff.

My dad said "This money is yours for college, if you dont use it all it is still yours, but it is all you are getting. If you dont go to school I am using it to buy a new truck"

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[–] ChillyHellion ago 

Merit-based scholarships

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[–] ilikeskittles 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Worked full time, went to school at night.

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[–] rwbj ago  (edited ago)

You can easily get student loans without a cosigner. Just search the web for info. Private student loans are guaranteed by the federal government and can never be dismissed, even in bankruptcy. Consequently companies give them out with completely reckless abandon since it's practically 0 risk from their perspective.

The important question is to clearly lay out your goals, reasons, and world view. Most people don't realize something. Currently 74% of individuals with a STEM degree, do not work in STEM. Competition is fierce and jobs are scarcer. The whole 'STEM shortage' is a complete myth. That article, from IEEE - the premier engineering association in the US, is a must read. It has only become more true.

I could go into a lot more detail there, but the long and short of it is that an education is no longer a simple path to a comfortable living in the US. If a field genuinely interests you for reasons other than the money then by all means give it a shot. But if your motivation is money, things aren't so simple.

In my opinion one of the most attractive options now a days is going to college abroad. Most European countries offer extremely subsidized, if not free, education for all comers. Going to a top university in Germany will run you about $120 per semester. And courses are often taught in English. Add in top notch health insurance and rent and you're looking at ~$7000 a year. You could genuinely pay your way through college part time flipping burgers or err... frying schnitzel?

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[–] 10420445? ago 

Scholarships, some unsubsidized Stafford loans (6.8% rate), and living with family. Working part-time 20-30 hours a week year-round was sufficient to tuition and the few loans I took out by the time I graduated. But this was a local college that was less than $4k for tuition per semester.

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[–] 10419234? ago 

Savings, loans, and employer reimbursement currently. My work schedule means I can't actually go to a standard classroom setting so I go to classes on-line (a non-profit school with a real campus as I don't want a garbage degree). It costs a little more than my kids are paying at the local college but it is the only way I can fit around my schedule.

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[–] tjkac ago 

The first time I went was in the mid 90s. I used student loans, but it was only about $1500 a semester then. Of course, I was living at home with my parents during that time as well, so I didn't have the expense of staying on campus. The second time I went, was in the early 2000s. I used student loans once again. It was considerably more than the $1500 a semester, but still not ridiculous. Finally, I went to law school in 2008. I have student loans out the wazoo now. I was working full time during the last two stints. I made way too much money to get grants, although not enough to pay cash, and there are no scholarships for white guys trying to get an education.

However, for somebody starting out now trying to get their undergrad degree, I always recommend to people that they go to community college for the first two years. It is so much cheaper and more convenient. Almost all the classes will transfer to a 4 year University. Plus, the community college seems to have a much more flexible schedule for classes. One can usually work while attending to help with expenses. Then when the two years are up, transfer to where ever it is you want to get your degree from. That way you are only paying the ridiculous prices for 2 years instead of 4.

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