If you have figured out during your four years in high school that you pretty much have to get more education if you want to live a reasonably comfortable lifestyle, then you’re smart and correct, but do you have what it takes for post-secondary education? It involves more than just the realization that you need more, and more specialized, education to get ahead. So far, your public education has been covered by the taxpayers of America, but what lies ahead has a fee attached to it. Remember that old saying, “you get what you pay for”? Well, now is the time that proves to be true. What you invest in education for your future betterment is worth every cent. You need money for school when you move on past high school.

But not everybody has a fairy godmother who can write a check for two years of college or vocational school, four years of college or university for an under-graduate degree program, or (gasp!) up to eight years to obtain a master’s degree or Ph.D. These days, going all the way to a doctorate can cost as much as $185,000! The rewards more then equal that, but you still have to find a way to pay for it. What are the options?

There are numerous ways to find money for school. Here is a list of a several of those options, but remember two things: you can “think outside the box” and come up with your own ideas for funding (keep it legal!) higher education; and 2. your high school guidance office will also have up-to-date information on conventional methods of getting money for school such as student loans, grants and scholarships.

• Student loans. These are the method used by most students who can’t afford to pay the full cost of a college or university education. You can borrow enough too supplement what you have saved and pay part of your costs this way, or try to borrow all of what you need to obtain your degree. Normally this money for school has to be applied for through the FAFSA application process, on an annual basis.

• Grants. Pretty well all grants are funding gifts awarded on a needs basis and that is invariably due to factors such as poverty or low income, being a visible minority, or being female. Grants don’t have to be repaid like student loans.

• Scholarships. If you’ve got exceptional grades, strong talents or are particularly skilled at certain sports, you may qualify for a scholarship, which is a merit-based gift. A few scholarships are targeted at needy individuals, but for the most part, they must also demonstrate their outstanding capabilities.

• Sponsorships. If you plan to enter a field of business that lacks skilled personnel, you may be able to obtain a sponsorship that will pay for your education contingent upon your being employed by said company for a set period of time after you graduate. Be wary of this, because it’s a double-edged sword. You may get your education paid for completely, and even enjoy some level of funding for your living expenses while at school, but there will be a penalty if you break the terms of the agreement after you have graduated. If you opt for this means of funding, thoroughly research the company to ensure it’s a place you would want to work for several years in your future.

• Family funds. It may be more than your parents that you can approach for help with funding your higher education. Never assume any of your relatives is wealthy or poor, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. Maybe that uncle that never married and has no children would be willing to help you. Or the long-widowed aunt who might feel proud to give you a boost. You can design a smart investment package so that the payback is worthwhile when they invest in you now.

• Contests. Check out all the corporations that hold essay contests for people in high school! If you win a few of those, it could add up to thousands of dollars toward your costs of higher education.

• Part-time and summer employment. It might seem obvious, but that’s because it works. You can make decent money working all year round for about 20 hours per week. It’s mostly going to be minimum wage, but there are other one-offs that can pay quite well. Is there a special event in your region, like a major annual fair, where you could work for the period of the event (2 or 3 weeks) and make solid cash? What about a big concert? Venue management often need extra staff to handle crowds and man refreshment booths, and the pay is usually a bit better. Christmas is a great time to line your pockets, especially if you can keep gift spending in check. Get in touch with the post office; they process tons of extra mail at the holiday season and they hire additional people to help with processing and delivery.

• A tax-free education savings account. Check with the bank where you do most of your financial business and ask what they have to offer. If you put some money in and your parents contribute, too, it may save them some money in taxes.

• A special savings account. Even if tax savings don’t present themselves, open one special savings account for your educational future. Have a garage sale and deposit the proceeds. Add any tax refunds you might get. Roll up all the loose change from your change jar and deposit that, too. If there is a fee paid for recycling bottle and cans, then take your empties there and put the deposit refund into your education account. Challenge your friends to see who can build up their education savings fastest. Ask for money for your birthday, Christmas or other special occasions and add that to your savings coffers. Sell stuff you no longer need on websites like eBay and add that. Mow lawns, rake leaves, shovel snow, walk dogs, babysit cats… Put your income towards your future.

Getting money for school can be tedious or a fun process of your own invention. Use your skills at earning money, plus your imagination and you’ll find perhaps hundreds of ways to accumulate money for school, through conventional means and clever ones nobody else thought of until you came up with the concept! The key is save, don’t spend, when you are trying to get enough money for school.

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