I did it.

Worked and went to school. Yes, it took longer- but I graduated with no debt.

it’s hard work, but definitely worth it.

Everyone I know who has gone to college, men and women, had student loans, but I don’t know too many independently wealthy people. I had a German scholarship but it was only $500-barely paid for 1 quarter worth of books. I had to get loans. They are still not paid off yet though. You must run with an exceptionally gifted crowd. There was no way that I could have made enough money working while in college to pay for my schooling. I only made minimum wage in college. What’s so wrong with that? Grants are given to the poor for college-but they typically only help with the lower-division course work. Most people have to get loans. And Sunny Day is right-athletic scholarships for men far outnumber any others. Not that I have a problem with that. Let’s just not assume that women go to college for free while men have to pay.

It really depends on the individual. Some people do great in school while paying as they go through college.

But for others like me, I pull loans cuz I’m unable to get the great grades I used to (when I wasn’t working). Compare my grades when I pulled loans vs. working so I could pay as I went through college and there is a HUGE difference.

When I paid as I went thru college, my grades were mediocre and I couldnt handle being full-time so I kept withdrawing classes and dropping down to part-time.

If you really want to get great grades, then I suggest you pull those awesome, low-interest loans (HA!) and pay them off w/the big money you’ll be making after u graduate. Otherwise, take 1-2 classes/semester while you pay as you go thru college. BUT remember that tuition will continue to rise so pulling those loans dont sound too bad afterall. That way you can get out quicker and start making a salary.

I worked through college, and it was a mistake. To TRULY learn what you’re there to learn requires time, and after a forty-hour week, you just don’t have much energy left. I came out with a 2.8 average, when I’m a person who should have been getting grades along the lines of a 3.5 or higher. I think student loans are the smartest choice by far, and if I had it to do over again, that’s the route I’d take.

yep, i’m doing it now to avoid the unnesessary charges and to help my credit. i only have 2 small ones tho