Worried about FAFSA? Read on for 3 great ways to pay for college without going into debt.

One of the many reasons people put off going to college is the fear of student debt. With all the recent news around FAFSA, worries are at an all-time high. But getting a degree doesn’t have to put you in debt if you know some alternative ways to pay for college, like scholarships, grants, and workforce programs. At Capital IDEA, we want all of our Central Texas neighbors to have the opportunity to get a debt-free quality education. To help more people do that, we’ve compiled a list of the top three ways to pay for college. Each option is good on it’s own but even better when stacked!

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Ways To Pay For College #1: Workforce Development Programs

There are several workforce development programs in Central Texas that can help you pay for college. Depending on the program, they can provide financial assistance for skills development, professional certifications, or even college degrees. These organizations are often looking to help the community fill workforce gaps in high-demand fields like healthcare, tech, and trades. They will offer financial assistance only to individuals willing to enter one of these career fields. If one of these fields sounds interesting to you, the good news is Capital IDEA’s Career Expressway is exactly this type of workforce program! We can help you with the cost of tuition, textbooks, and other expenses, making your associate degree free to you!

Ways To Pay For College #2: Scholarships

Applying for scholarships can be an excellent way for students to fund their college education. Scholarships can cover various expenses, including tuition, fees, textbooks, and living costs. A scholarship can significantly reduce your financial burden, allowing you to focus on your studies and pursue your career goals without worrying about repaying debt. Some colleges, like Austin Community College (ACC) offer a single application, making it easy for students to apply for multiple scholarships at once. Applying directly through your college is also a great way to make sure it’s a real scholarship, not a scam. Check with student services or financial aid departments at your college to see which scholarships you’re eligible for. The best news is — you can be a Capital IDEA student and still qualify for scholarships! You can use your scholarship money to pay for other living or college-related expenses not covered by Capital IDEA.

Ways To Pay For College #3: FAFSA

The recent headlines may have shaken your confidence in the federal aid program, but applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is still one of our top suggestions for everyone going to college, and we hope you won’t skip it. By submitting a FAFSA, you can receive grants, scholarships, and low-interest federal loans to significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Please note that we require Capital IDEA students to say ‘no’ to loans, but they can accept grant money, and just like with scholarships, any grant money you’re awarded can go towards paying your other college-related expenses. Captial IDEA will continue to pay your tuition, books, and student fees every semester regardless of the scholarship or federal aid money you’re awarded. By stacking all three of these financial aid options, you earn a free degree and successfully avoid the trap of student loan debt.

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More about us: Capital IDEA in Central Texas provides one of the best ways to pay for college. We cover 100% of your college expenses. You can choose from a list of degrees in healthcare, tech, or trades offered at Austin Community College and Temple College and get the following college expenses covered: tuition, textbooks, school supplies, testing, and certification fees. As a nonprofit, we can also help with things like childcare assistance, gas cards, and more.

Not only is Capital IDEA a great way to pay for college, it’s also a great way to get hired. Our graduates get job preparation and job search support to make sure they transition from student to professional without delay. They’ve gone to work for companies like Facebook, VISA, Ascension, St. David’s Healthcare, KIA, and other top employers in the region. Our partnerships with numerous employers give our graduates a leg up over the competition when looking for a job, which is why we like to say — we’re with you from start to hired!

Don’t let the fear of debt stop you from earning a college degree and starting a great career! You have options because there are many ways to pay for college. If you live in Central Texas, start by checking out Capital IDEA. We can help you go to college and get a degree for free in an in-demand career field.

Sign up for a CareerUp info session to learn more about our program. It’s a great way to pay for college without getting into debt.

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