EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE COST OF COLLEGE
Note: If links on this page are broken, please let me know via my contact page. I’ll check them and make sure they are removed or changed if needed. Sometimes a different browser or machine (phone vs. computer, for example) will lead to different results. If links really don’t work, try searching for articles you want to read using the reference info here. Links often change but titles and publishers shouldn’t.
If you need to think about going to college on campuses—or in states—where efforts are being made to reduce the cost of earning a degree, read these items carefully. Whatever school you attend, you should always use the net price calculators almost all schools offer on their websites to estimate how much your degree will cost you. In some cases, efforts are being made to either reduce the cost to you of attending or at least keep its increases as low as possible. If you know of relevant materials of any kind you think should be included here, please contact me with the resource and a link to it so I can have a look. I have definitely included pieces suggested to me in the past, particularly on this topic which is so important to so many today.
Almost all of the articles I have on this sub-page of my college search materials hierarchy are free to access. None are by me. Some will require a paid subscription. I have marked the ones requiring a subscription with “Possible Paywall.” Your school or local public library may have free access if you don’t through your parents, neighbors or mentors.
Articles on Efforts to Make College More Affordable
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Note: None of these articles are by me. Some of these articles include financial advice. As with all things if you follow it, you do so at your own risk.
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“Colby College’s Fair Shot Fund Is A Unique Approach To Financial Aid,” Forbes: Apr 9, 2024.
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“States With Free College Tuition,” Bankrate: Mar 4, 2024. Note: read this thoroughly to learn about what states offer this and some of the conditions many set on it.
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“More of the nation’s top colleges roll out 'no-loan' policies,” CNBC: Feb 28. 2024. Note: Useful perspective here. Note, the list of no-loan colleges is not accessible to screen reader users.
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“Admitted without an application: Pilot project aims to bolster state university enrollment" - South Dakota Searchlight: Feb 19, 2024. Note: A highly creative program. See if your state has something similar and push for it if it doesn’t.
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“Dozens of colleges in Alabama waive application fees this week,” WVTM: Feb 18, 2024.
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“MASFA financial aid program supports undocumented students" – NBC Boston: Jan 9, 2024.
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“Hartford students surprised with $20,000 scholarships to the University of Hartford,” NBC Connecticut: Dec 19, 2023. Note: Read on to learn more about the Hartford Promise program.
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“UW-Madison launches program to cover Indigenous students' full costs, including tuition and housing,” The Daily Mail: Dec 18, 2023. Note: See the article and research to see if you qualify. I’ve worked there, UW Madison is a great place to go to college if you do.
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[possible paywall] “U-Va. to cover tuition, fees for Virginia families making $100k or less,” The
Articles about the cost and affordability of college
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“8 Common FAFSA Mistakes And How To Avoid Them,” CNBC: Mar 17, 2023. Note: Lots of good advice here, the key point being, make sure to fill it out!
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“8 Common FAFSA Mistakes And How To Avoid Them,” CNBC: Mar 17, 2023.
Note: Lots of good advice here, the key point being, make sure to fill it out! -
“How To Switch To A STEM Career" | Bankrate: Feb 24, 2023.
Note: Many STEM careers pay well but often require training. Read this to see how you can pay for it -
“What is a 1098-E form? About the student loan interest statement,” USA Today: Jan 27, 2023.
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Note: College health charges can be a large unexpected cost. Find out what your potential schools demand for on-campus health services.
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“10 ways to save money on college costs,” Reviewed: Oct 7, 2022.
Note: Useful advice here. -
“Michigan Creates A Robust And Unique Free College Program,” Forbes: Oct 7, 2022.
Note: See the article for information on what the article notes is a relatively complicated initiative. -
“Grads from these colleges have the most debt: report,” The Hill: Oct 2, 2022.
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“FAFSA Guide for Maximum Financial Aid in 2022,” Moneywise.com: Oct 1, 2022.
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“California Colleges are Creating Centers to Assist Students With Their Basic Needs,” KQED: Aug 14, 2022.
Note: This discusses centers at UC, CSU and California community colleges and what they do for students who need their services. -
“College Guide: Tax and Legal Matters Every Parent Should Know,” The Street: Aug 4, 2022.
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“How to Get a Free or Cheap Laptop for College,” Lifehacker: Aug 3, 2022.
Note: points to resources that may be helpful if you qualify for financial help in this area. -
“Clever Ways to Save When Your Kid Is off at College - Consumer Reports
Note: Some ideas are relevant to campus expenses some relevant to saving on expenses for the people still at home. -
“Several Public Universities Reject Tuition Increases, Freeze Prices For Upcoming Year,” Forbes: June 16, 2022.
Note: Includes word on the Universities of Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, VATech, and Wisconsin among others. -
“Tuition, fees continues to rise as pandemic inflation woes hit colleges,” NBC News: Feb 6, 2022.
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“High school grads missed out on $3.75 billion of college money last year,” NerdWallet Via MarketWatch: Jan 31, 2022. Note: The takehome? FILL OUT THE FAFSA! If you didn’t last year you missed out on $4,440+ in aid you should have gotten.
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“Financial Aid Offers Are Negotiable. Here's How to Ask Colleges for More Money (and Get It),” Money: Apr 10, 2021.
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“Why Did My Student Financial Aid Decrease?,” Forbes: Apr 2, 2021.
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“Your Guide to Decoding Financial Aid Letters and Choosing a College You Can Afford,” Money: Mar 31, 2021.
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“These kids were surprised with college scholarships. Here's how you can apply,” ABC News: Mar 31, 2021.
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“Here's why more employers are offering student loan repayment assistance,” Fox business: Mar 30, 2021.
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“College costs are skyrocketing. Here's how to figure out what you can afford,” Today: Mar 30, 2021.
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“College in Utah will cost more next fall — with one exception, Deseret News: Mar 27, 2021.
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“Affording College During A Pandemic? Here’s What You Should Know,” Forbes: Mar 10, 2021.
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“As some colleges struggle, there may be an opportunity for more aid. Here’s how to negotiate,” CNBC: Feb 27, 2021.
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“5 Helpful Tips for Understanding Merit Aid Scholarships,” Your Teen: Feb 22, 2021.
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“How To Calculate The ROI Of Your College Choice,” Forbes: Feb 23, 2021.
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“COVID pandemic is changing which colleges students want to attend. Here’s how,” The Charlotte Observer: Feb 22, 2021.
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“Where states are boosting or slashing higher ed funding amid the pandemic,” PBS News Hour: Feb 18, 2021.
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“Pulling Back The Curtain On What You’ll Really Pay For College,” Forbes: Feb 19, 2021.
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“5 Things Every Family Should Know About Paying For College,” NPR: February 17, 2021.
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“Citing Covid, Department Of Education Urges Colleges To Consider Financial Aid Appeals,” Forbes: Feb 1, 2021.
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“College tuition is up 33% since 2000: How to cope with rising costs,” Fox Business: June 8, 2021.
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“What is a 3-year college degree program and how much does it cost?” Fox business: Jun 4, 2021.
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“You can still tap free money for college — here’s how,” CNBC: Apr 29, 2021.
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“How to Make the Best Financial Decision When Choosing a College ,” Parents: Apr 27, 2021.
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“How To Get More College Financial Aid,” Forbes: Apr 27, 2021.
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“A Parent's Guide to FAFSA and Federal Student Aid,” Parents: Apr 26, 2021.
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“How to Find the Right Scholarship for Every Occasion,” Real Simple: Apr 23, 2021.
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“How To Understand Financial Aid Award Letters,” Forbes: Apr 20, 2021.
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“Here are the top public nd private colleges with the most generous financial aid packages,” CNBC: Apr 20, 2021.
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“How To Negotiate A Better College Financial Aid Offer,” Forbes: Apr 19, 2021.
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“These college students might get less financial aid next year,” CNBC: Aug 23, 2020.
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“How To Have Others Help You Save For College,” Forbes: Aug 12,2020.
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“What Your Student Needs To Know About Money Before College,” Forbes: August 1, 2020.
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“College students to get a break as student loan rates drop to historic lows,” The Detroit Free Press via USA Today: July 1, 2020.
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“Co-signing a Private Loan: What Parents Need to Know,” Money: June 29, 2020
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“Federal Student Loan Interest Rates Drop By 39 Percent For 2020-21,” Forbes: May 13, 2020.
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“3 smart ways to make the most of a gap year and boost your college and career prospects,” Francesca Di Meglio in Business Insider: June 25, 2020.
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“Gen Z Borrowers are Unaware of Covid-19 Student Loan Relief Programs,” CNBC: June 19, 2020.
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“Everything Parents of College Applicants Need to Know About FAFSA,” Sabrina Rojas Weiss in She Knows: May 12, 2020.
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“Pandemic Relief Package Simplifies FAFSA,” Forbes: Dec 22, 2020.
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“Congress Just Made It a Lot Easier to Apply for Financial Aid,” Money: Dec 22, 2020.
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Students Demanding More Value Would Boost The Impact Of The Years That Matter Most
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Why College Tuition Keeps Rising
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The Real Cost of College: Vast Expansion of ‘Fees’ Means up to $5,000 Extra per Semester
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These FAFSA Mistakes can Negatively Affect your Financial Aid
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How to fill out the FAFSA and get financial aid for college - Business Insider
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How to save money on college applications
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Colleges that Don’t Charge Application Fees
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Here’s A No-Brainer: Students Should Know What Their College Costs Will Be
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Three financial aid mistakes that could make college more costly
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What to Do If Your FAFSA Application Gets Flagged for Verification
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5 tricks for paying for college
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As student loan debt mounts, high schoolers ‘shockingly’ unaware of aid options
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College costs are skyrocketing. Here’s how to decide if that high price tag is worth it
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FAFSA got a makeover, and the process is simpler for low-income families
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How to negotiate for more college financial aid
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How to decipher that college aid offer
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Millennial Money: A college education isn't priceless - AP