If you need to borrow do it right.
How to be Loan Smart
5 things you need to know about paying for college
How to Cover
College Costs
Test out
Take tests such as the CLEP and DSSTs—placing out of a course can be less expensive than taking it.
Take accelerated classes
Did you know some classes pack a semester into six or eight weeks? Tuition is often less, and accelerated classes may help you move up your graduation date.
Transfer credits
Earn general study credits from a less-expensive community college. Be sure to learn about the matriculation agreement at your dream school.
Plan to contribute yourself
Experts suggest saving $2,000 from a summer job to cover books and travel and earning an additional $2,000 during each school year by working while in school.
Want a school that wants you
Compared to other students, the higher you rank in marks, SAT scores, etc., the more a school may want you—and be able to give you grants and scholarships. Use a company like TuitionCoach.com to help you find a good fit, both in school offerings and costs.
Stay local
State schools offer lower tuition to residents. If you're planning on graduate school, consider taking your first job in the state where you want to get your post-graduate degree so you can establish residency. In fact, 89% of undergraduate students and 77% of graduate students stay in state for college.2
The rewards of community service
Organizations such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Volunteers in Service to America will provide educational awards for helping them give service. Awards can be applied to student loans (federal and sometimes private) and even future education expenses.
Astrive Student Loans are private student loans marketed by Union Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC and Equal Opportunity Lender, and funded by SunTrust Bank. SunTrust does not fund federal loans through the Astrive Student Loan Program. Certain restrictions and limitations may apply. SunTrust Bank reserves the right to change or discontinue these programs without notice. All loan programs may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Astrive is a federally registered trademark of The First Marblehead Corporation, used by Union Federal Savings Bank and SunTrust under a license. SunTrust is a federally registered service mark of SunTrust Banks, Inc.
Union Federal Savings Bank and The First Marblehead Corporation are not affiliates or subsidiaries of SunTrust Bank.
1 Trends in College Pricing, College Board, 2007.
2 Profile of Undergraduates in US Post-Secondary Education Institutions 2003-04, NCES, 2004; National Post Secondary Student Aid Study 2003-04, NCES, 2004.
