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Apply to the right colleges. Apply to several colleges. Know that several elite universities or colleges will defer tuition costs completely if your family income falls under a certain amount. Fill out the FAFSA on time Negotiate your financial aid reward. Take advantage of scholarships. Talk about Parent PLUS loans. Find a financial aid agent. Apply for ROTC.
In general, in-state tuition is much cheaper than out-of-state tuition and public schools are much less expensive than private schools. However, know that some colleges claim to meet full financial need and others may seem expensive but have great financial aid plans. Do your research before you write anything off.  75% of the colleges on the meet-full-financial-need list rank in the top 25 in their rankings categories. These are very, very good schools that want to help you out! When it comes to aid, often where there's a will, there's a way. The cheapest option is to start at a community college and transfer later. Sometimes the credit doesn't always transfer, so be sure to do your research before you plan on this option. If it works, it can save you tens of thousands of dollars. You may think those private schools are out of your budget range, but often private schools compete with their public counterparts by offering more grants and aid. Just because it has a loftier price tag doesn't mean you should avoid it. If they have a good program, apply.  In general, in-state colleges are cheaper. But again, it all depends on the amount of aid you receive from each institution. Apply to several so you can leverage them against each other. If you have two (or more) colleges that are interested in you, they may up their offers! Stanford University, for example, will pay the tuition of students with family income under $100,000 per year; and students whose families earn under $60,000 get free tuition, room and board paid by the university. Set your sights high. If you get accepted to a great university, tuition may not be a problem. . That's the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and it can be filled out as early as January 1. The deadline is around June 1st, depending on your state and school, but it is widely suggested you fill it out as soon as possible to get all your financial ducks in a row. If you're unfamiliar with the FAFSA (for starters, where have you been?), it's a form you need to fill out to receive any federal aid to go to college in the US. Without it, you won't receive any grants or loans from the government! Travesty. Whether you've applied to just one school and have been accepted or have been accepted to a few, you have the power to negotiate. Often schools say aid is "non-negotiable"; however, that's just another way to say "they'll adjust it instead." Use your power!  If you're set on one school but your financial aid is a little lacking, go in to the financial aid office and make an appointment to discuss the terms. Instead of going in and demanding more money, ask why you were awarded what you were awarded and how you could qualify for more. In addition, relay specific terms that could not be addressed in the FAFSA. Is your family taking care of an aging relative? Do you have a move coming up? Did a parent lose their job? Sometimes these things can be taken into account and applied to your aid. If you've been accepted to several schools, inform them that you're weighing your financial aid options and will make your decision in the coming weeks. Some schools may up the ante to get you to attend their institution. Scholarship programs in your state can greatly reduce tuition costs for simply maintaining a high GPA and or doing volunteer work. There are numerous private scholarships that can be stacked, allowing you to piecemeal a financial aid package for yourself. Dunno where to find scholarships? Well for starters, the Internet. In addition to the larger scholarships, your school should be able to provide you with a list you can apply for. The financial aid office should be able to pinpoint you in the right direction—just make sure you're on top of things! Some deadlines come quite early. If you maxed out your federal aid and are iffy on the private student loan situation, there is an option for parents to take out loans. So long as you haven't had a credit mishap in just the past 60 days, you should qualify. Private parent loans are a bit harder to come by and the process is a bit more stringent. However, you have dozens and dozens of options when it comes to this realm. An academic financial aid agent will help you find the best scholarships, and they truly know the financial aid landscape and can find tax deductions which can help you get maximum benefit from need-based grants that may be available to you, even if you are a billionaire. 53% of federal financial aid in the US is actually given to those in the upper quintile ($60,000 gross income and above) because they are more financially literate and can find deductions where others might not. ROTC cadets are eligible for scholarships covering tuition, fees, and textbooks for 4 years, plus a monthly stipend. In return, students take ROTC courses along with their regular classes, promise to serve after graduation (time varies). Over 1,200 schools offer ROTC programs in US.  The Army requires 4 years active duty and 4 years in reserves. The Navy requires 4–5 years of active duty. The Air Force requires 4–6 years of active duty and 10 years for cadets trained as pilots.