As the cost of college education increases year-by-year, students and professionals alike are examining ways to decrease tuition across the board. In fact, the concept of free education, for which Thomas Paine was a big proponent of, has been around since the 18th century. The United States even offered free education to its citizens up until the 1920s.

Countries located on all continents currently offer some form of free college education to their citizens. Administrative costs, high salaries and a large national debt have prevented the United States from offering free college education. In order to achieve free college education in the United States, some major changes need to take place.

Community-Developed Universities

Universities across the United States are managed like a government-run agency. This is hardly surprising as much of the funding for colleges comes from the state and federal governments.

The college system is extremely outdated and hasn’t been able to adapt to modern times. Many other companies such as Apple, IBM and even Walmart allow their customer-base to dictate what they sell. Allowing the students to determine what curriculum the college offers may have huge cost-cutting benefits. Colleges will not have to spend countless hours and millions of dollars on deciding what classes they should offer on their campuses.

Volunteer Faculty

The use of volunteer faculty has already been proven to be successful. University of the People offers degree programs to people in every country around the world. They charge a modest $50 processing fee and a $100 examination fee per term. They use a volunteer-based faculty to assist with teaching and students are allowed constant interaction to help each other in online discussion forums.

This is likely one of the best models of universally-affordable education anywhere in the world. Because of their online format, they are able to pull together a smaller volunteer faculty from around the world and reach a broader range of students. While their education model is complex, they have been successful in drawing tons of support from Yale, New York University and a variety of top-tiered corporations.

Change the Tax Code

Experts estimate that tax breaks and various subsidies that are used to assist students with college tuition add up to $22.75 billion per year. The estimated cost of a free education provided by the government comes in somewhere between $15 billion and $30 billion per year.

Overhauling the tax code and redirecting funds to a free college education system seems like an obvious choice when you crunch the numbers. While it looks good on paper such a change will be very hard to accomplish.

Not everyone will benefit from a universally free college education system. Many wealthier families benefit from the variety of tax breaks they receive due to their children’s college education. Financial institutions will lose billions of dollars a year from the loss of student loan interest and many influential college administrators may lose their jobs.

Despite these factors, a universally-free education system will benefit the United States greatly. Studies show that countries with a high rate of college graduation garner a higher rate of innovation among its citizens.

In order to achieve universally-free college education, the United States must overcome a variety of boundaries; including heavy lobbying on Capitol Hill by the financial sector. No matter what burdens we must overcome, free education is possible and should be implemented as soon as possible.

About The Author

Today’s guest article comes from Karl Dawson. He writes on education, the financial industry, the national debt and domestic economic issues, the mortgage industry, student loan debt and other prominent national topics. The mortgage industry, like the educational system, needs to be seriously revised and improved; view Kanetix mortgage rates to see healthy rates in a relatively unhealthy industry.

With the increased price of tuition and frequent purchases of textbooks and classroom necessities, you’ve been strapped for cash lately. Even with a part-time job, finding enough money for clothes or a fun night out with friends has become difficult. But don’t worry, there are areas and ways in which you can save some money.

Here are a few college living tips to help you save:

1.) Don’t Bother With Cable

Why drop upwards of $30 to $50 a month on cable when just about everything can be seen online for free, or at least, very cheap? Instead, opt for high-speed Internet, which you can find for around $15 or $20 a month. If you’re really strapped for cash, just use your school’s public Wi-Fi access in the student center. But investing in Internet will benefit you in the long run, instead of spending countless hours at the school library or recreational center to use the free Wi-Fi you’ll be able to study from the comforts of your room.

2.) Know Your Student Discounts

Discounts are offered to students in handfuls of locations, yet students don’t seem to know or pay attention to most of them. They range from cinema and restaurants to different clothing stores and fun activities like go-kart racing and mini golf. All these locations only require a valid student I.D. so take advantage while you can. Throughout the campus, you’re bound to find coupon books, which offer deals to surrounding restaurants and the college bookstore. Learn where these places are, what the discounts entail and incorporate them into your daily spending habits. Just be careful of fakes and phonies — the web is filled with a bunch of online college scams to avoid like fake credit card offers or free money to starving students. These are always too good to be true.

3.) Happy Hour

Many restaurants offer amazing food deals during happy hour in the afternoon or early evening and would make the best place to meet up with the members in your group project. When you’re really short on money and don’t feel like cooking Ramen noodles for the fourth night in a row, go to your favorite food joint during happy hour. Also, take advantage of the school’s cafeteria. Most schools offer more than generous prices on their meal plans, loading up your belly the whole year for a fairly cheap price.

4.) Be Kitchen Savvy

Try limiting your days of eating out … you don’t want to be another one who falls victim to the Freshman 15 (you know, where seemingly every freshman college student gains at least 15 pounds). Instead, stock up at the local market for groceries, which will last you longer than a one-course meal from a restaurant. Keep an eye out for the weekly supermarket deals, which generally come out every Wednesday. You’ll save loads of money and be able to get creative with cooking. Invest in a cookbook that focuses on college eating or cheap eating. Join Pinterest and peruse the many food and cooking boards users have, where there are thousands of recipes to choose. Allrecipes.com is also a great food site with food recipes and reviews by people who’ve actually cooked the meal.

On CheapScholar.org, I thoroughly enjoy serving as a resource for families and students that are trying to navigate the financial aspect of their college experience. I cover a lot of topics (many related to Financial Aid & Paying For College Options) but one of the most important resources I like to share is how students are saving their hard-earned dollars and making college cheaper on their own campuses.

Allison Taylor is currently a student in California and she recently entered CheapScholar’s “How Do YOU Make College Cheaper?” Scholarship giveaway. She took the time to submit the following ways in which she makes college more affordable. Enjoy!

How Do I Make College Cheaper?

Generally, by applying critical thinking skills to answer the question: ” (A) What resources can I put to work for me? (B) What can I pay less for, or stretch out and use for longer? (C) What can I get for free, or have the use of without cost? (D) What purchases can I postpone, share, or talk myself out of?”

Specifically, by looking for different sources of money coming in. Earnings are just the start. We all know to search for scholarships (thus, our association with Cheap Scholar), and to keep grades high to stay eligible for the good ones. We all know to submit a FAFSA and pray for high grant dollars and few loan dollars.

OK, done. Now, how about some out-of-the-box ideas?

(A) Resources to take advantage of: Besides earnings & financial aid, look into matching programs. Are there employers who do tuition reimbursement? As an alternative to taking only night classes, paid for out-of-pocket while you work fulltime in an unrelated day job, search for one of these employers. Talk to everyone you know, ask whether they have tuition reimbursement available. Maybe even postpone university attendance until you get access to a job like this. What about working for a school? University of Phoenix employees get FREE tuition there, and spouses get a deep 80% discount (last I heard), as long as grades stay high.

There are also some municipal/county/state aid programs aimed at promoting good financial habits & rewarding initiative. My county offers a savings matching program available for a few specific goals, including a degree program. You save as much as $2000 (minimum $25 per month), the match is double, up to $4000. You have to reside in this county, but can designate the savings account balance to be spent on education ANYWHERE. Meaning, I could go to school in Jamaica. Call around, maybe start by quizzing the small business centers to see what they know about local programs. If you have family/friends living in such a region, it might be worth relocating there, just long enough to establish residency & fulfill the program requirements, then move again & go to school where you want.

There are also some workforce development agencies that provide (limited) funding for re-training for specific professions, mostly within in-demand industries projected for growth. If your profession is listed on their vocational list, you have a shot at getting some money, which is usually provided as reimbursement for specific school-related invoices/receipts. Don’t expect to walk out with a check, it may take some time investment. But so does the scholarship application process!

Also look into odd jobs that seem to flourish at universities. Art model is a good one; they pay you to sit still & shut up! There’s always SOMETHING that the non-broke college students will pay inflated prices for, situationally. What if you had a huge ice chest full of cold water bottles outside every football/basketball/baseball game? Buying something for 25 cents and selling for $1.50 is called a healthy profit margin! Candy cravings follow you to campus, and who doesn’t have 75 cents for a candy bar? Unless there are vending machines everywhere, in which case your inventory may go stale. I’ve seen note-taking services do quite well, with student sales rep’s standing outside the larger lecture (100- and 200-level) courses in every major, selling typed notes printed on red (non-reproducible) paper. You have something to sell, just figure out what. I once did a calligraphy project for my dorm secretary for cash!

(B) Paying less is just garden-variety frugality. We all know to look for used textbooks, right? How about paying just a few bucks for a one-edition-removed textbook? I’ve done this for Developmental Psych and Intro to Sociology, as well as some technical classes in my major. I paid $7 instead of $95, $4 instead of $78, and $25 instead of $143. And I got A’s in every one of those classes. How about buying your basic supplies at one of those big-box office supply stores, with one of those periodic coupons that say “$10 off your $30 purchase”. You get those coupons, right? Get on the mailing list! And don’t buy binders/composition books/plastic rulers new … get them at Goodwill! You know, the second-hand store where you already buy all your shoes/clothing? Collect freebie pens & post-its, drinking cups, etc. Word to the wise … school spirit notwithstanding, you can graduate without owning even one item printed or embroidered with your school mascot. True story. Just stay out of that area of the bookstore. If you find it at Goodwill, then you can buy it! I will buy underwear new, but only on sale at the big-box discount-department store. Almost all of my shoes/clothing come from second hand stores. Socks I buy by the dozen, all the same design, so one lost sock isn’t a waste of a pair.

Paying less for tuition by going to a heavily subsidized community college for general ed is a classic, commonly known frugal move. How about checking into your local Regional Occupational Program (or the equivalent) to find out whether any of their classes can be credited by that local community college? In my community, the ROP offers some classes that can be “articulated” (essentially transferred) to the local college. There is limited course availability to adults, but HS students can take any class that fits their schedules. Through luck & careful planning, I took a Medical Terminology course for zero tuition, then filled out 4 lines of a form requesting that the local college (where I’m already enrolled) grant me 3 credits (which represents about $150 tuition). Total cost: one book, bought used (of course) from Amazon for $50.

I also passed 5 AP exams in HS, meaning that I got credit TWICE from a public education, and I started university with 20 credits, saving myself the headache of enduring freshman English Composition, General Biology, etc. And those credits are all transferable!

Stretching out purchases often means purchasing wisely, getting something more durable or more generally useful than something with just one narrow use. A good quality backpack (in a neutral color) will last 4 years if maintained. Likewise a basic, well-made bedspread. A decent filing cabinet will last for decades. Keep your shape, and those freshman jeans will still be wearable to your last final exam before graduation. Your Grateful Dead poster … well, no comment. And I’ll bet you’ll be eager to dump your collapsible dorm room furniture ASAP, but I kept my small particle board shelving units for quite a few years.

If your campus has a decent cafeteria, consider stretching out your cafeteria visit to overlap 2 meals (if they allow you to stay on premises). I saw one guy (who I suspected was homeless) come into the Student Union cafeteria each Sunday morning, and he invariably stayed until early afternoon, paying just the breakfast fee but eating another meal after a few hours of chilling out. I thought he was pretty clever. If you like eating breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner, consider making the time in between into a study session. I’ve also been known to smuggle a bagel or roll or cornbread or cookies out, wrapped in a paper napkin, for a between-meals snack. I rationalize that the uneaten baked products are going to be tossed out (after a certain time goes by), so I might as well save them from the landfill.

(C) Libraries have a LOT of free resources, occasionally including textbooks. Municipalities sometimes have free passes for mass transportation for certain groups (if you’re not in one of those groups, and you ride mass transit, get to know someone in those groups … call the city & ask who has them!). Membership in certain organizations sometimes comes with free museum passes (and museums often have monthly “get in free” days, so plan ahead). Getting to know older students can score you some cast-off dorm/apartment furniture when they upgrade or graduate. Furnishing cheap student housing is easier when you drive by the dumpsters of nicer apartment complexes to see what someone else has thrown out; those items are rarely broken beyond repair.

If you can aim toward a (larger population) university with a fully equipped Student Health Center, that may save you significant health care insurance costs. Larger such health centers provide ultrasound testing, prescribe contraception, and treat sports injuries, for example. Larger universities also tend to have student-discounted tickets to the acts that perform at their activity centers and performance halls (plus, the ushers get paid to watch those shows) so you can have a full cultural calendar for minimal expense. Under the heading of “have the use of without cost” I can recommend attending a community college that’s within spitting distance of a major university. Then you can enjoy the cheap dance/music recitals, $1 movies in the student union, and great lecture series WITHOUT paying the big tuition bill … until you transfer.

(D) Whether or not you’re a student, it’s surprisingly easy to talk yourself out of purchasing little luxuries (Starbucks drinks, snacks from the convenience store, new tennies) when you anticipate the cravings and go in bolstered with resolve. I take hot tea from home in an insulated glass to avoid the temptation to stop at the coffee shop. When I know I’ll be on campus all day, I carry an apple, a banana, a couple of cheese sticks, a baggie of crackers, and sometimes a homemade sandwich. A box of sugar-coated shredded wheat cereal & big bag of trail mix lives in my car (& another in my backpack, along with granola bars); they keep me from succumbing to the urge to buy overpriced snacks when my stomach rumbles walking past the student commissary. I think I’ll add a jar of peanut butter to the car stash! Buying used tennies to put in your used (or freebie) gym bag, along with a cheap jump rope and a thrift store towel will equip you to get a lot of physical fitness benefit without those high sticker prices for trendy gear. My college offers a repeatable-for-credit weight training class, $46/16-week semester, which saves me from ridiculous monthly gym fees. OK, so there’s no swimming pool, no sauna, no zumba classes there … but I got stronger & leaner!

I can postpone a LOT of purchases, but there are times when purchasing in advance might be advantageous. When I knew what uniform I would be required to wear for clinical days in my nursing program, I watched for the right color of scrubs, and found two tops ($5 each, complete with the proper patches) at Goodwill, so I bought them, although I hadn’t even applied yet. That way, I won’t be overcome with urgency and just order new uniform pieces for my first clinical/hospital rotation. Also, I printed out (from the bookstore’s online info) a list (complete with ISBN) of every single required and recommended textbook and media resource for every single nursing class I will need to take, then imported the list into my smartphone so I can match titles (and editions) when I happen to stroll past the bookshelves at Goodwill. On this list, I wrote in the new and used prices from Amazon, so I’ll know whether I’m getting a great deal (or looking at a textbook that’s a waste of money because it’s 3 editions too old). In the pricing stage, I found 4 recommended media resources that were selling for just a few bucks each, so I ordered them and started reviewing the info. When I get to the class where I have to know it, these skills will seem familiar.

Sharing textbooks would be a terrific option when you live close to (or room with) a student taking the same classes, especially if you attend different sections of the same lecture & wouldn’t need the book at the same time. Or if you’re exactly one semester ahead of (or behind) a good friend or roommate, you could split the purchase price, use the textbook 2 semesters running, then split the resale value when neither of you need that book anymore. I suppose you could share a textbook for the same lecture section, if you’re able to coordinate sitting together.

College is also the time to talk yourself out of all those grooming luxuries that represent repeated costs. Trendy hairstyles that require a cut/dye/perm every 6 weeks, not to mention designer-name hair products? Not for the frugal student. Acrylic nails? Forget it! Stay out of the salon altogether or learn to do it yourself! Resist the urge to wear trendy new t-shirts (unless you drew the designs on the shirt yourself) and definitely steer clear of designer labels. Postpone buying a car as long as possible … they always break down and need an expensive repair. Postpone getting engaged or having kids til after graduation … those are big-ticket items! Postpone apartment living as long as you can stand it … dorms are a package deal and you will feel the pain of every utility check you write in the new apartment. Postpone the new laptop purchase until the old one’s on the verge of crashing (I know some of you will disagree, and that’s fine). Whenever possible, avoid buying the newest generation of whatever gadget you crave. If you have to have the newest, get someone in your family to take a job with Apple!

SUMMARILY:

*Have an attitude of delayed gratification rather than deprivation.

*Constantly remind yourself how great the power of a degree will be, compared to the rundown “stuff” you might otherwise have bought with all those tuition dollars.

*Apply “reduce, reuse, recycle” to every aspect of life. Hang out with lots of other college students so you won’t get caught up in envy of people with disposable income.

*Practice gratitude for everything you have access to, including spoken affirmations to re-frame your perspective when you get down.

*Be the positive, fun personality that everyone wants to have along in the group, even if they have to pool scarce $ to buy your dinner/drinks.

*Tell yourself it’s a challenging game, and twist your perspective to “beat your high score” with respect to frugality & efficiency.

Are you planning a great spring break trip? Have you figured out how to pay for it? It is tempting to put that vacation on a credit card; however, that may be one of the most expensive ways to do it if you don’t plan to pay if off immediately, and the debt will cause stress in the long term. Instead, why not think about ways to save right now for your upcoming spring break trip? There are many ways you can make money to take a vacation, and just as many ways to save money while on your trip. If you plan carefully, you can take a fantastic spring break trip without breaking your bank—or your credit rating.

The Importance of Saving

Using a credit card can be dangerous if you aren’t completely sure that you can repay the amount spent on vacation shortly after returning home. Using a credit card to cover the entire expense is a far riskier investment if you are using high-interest credit cards, since this can mean paying more than what was spent originally when it comes time to pay off hotel fees and other vacation-related expenses.

Likewise, you should avoid using financial aid to pay for a vacation. More than $150 billion in student loans are borrowed through private lenders, and these loans typically carry higher interest rates than other loans. Similar to high-interest credit cards, this may mean paying off an expensive vacation can take months. As a result, using loan money—especially loans from these private lenders—may not be a safe choice when funding a vacation.

Instead of financing a spring break trip with high-interest credit cards or student loans, consider developing both smart money making habits, as well as putting in a bit of hard work, in order to put aside the funds for your vacation. Not only will this mean you can avoid spending more than you planned to in the form of interest, late fees, or a knock to your credit score, but it also means that you can begin to develop smart spending and saving habits that will help you long after the vacation has ended.

Tips for Saving for Spring Break

Find a Part-Time Job

It may seem redundant to tell someone wanting to save money to find a job; however, many students do not realize the multitude of part-time opportunities available to college students. These jobs require little to no long-term commitment and can provide students with a bit of vacation cash quickly. Consider babysitting, tutoring, or temporary on-campus jobs as you think about ways to earn some money.

Sell Unneeded Items

Do you have clothing or textbooks that you probably will not use again? Consider selling these items for some quick cash. You can list them through any one of a number of free online sales services or talk to your campus bookstore. It is often possible to raise quite a bit of cash by selling old textbooks and secondhand or consignment shops may be able to sell your used clothing, provided it is in good condition and in high demand.

Cut Your Current Expenses

One way to “make” money for a trip is to cut down on your present spending. The easiest way to do this is to track your spending for a week, writing down everything you buy. Examine the list and look for ways to cut costs.

Think about things you can do without in order to have a better vacation in a few weeks: could you cut out your daily coffee splurge or eat at restaurants less often? Are you paying for a gym membership you do not use? You can usually find quite a bit to trim from your budget if you look carefully, and you can often substitute cheaper options for those expensive habits.

For example, invest in a thermal mug and bring coffee from home. You will save at least $60 a month if you currently have a $2 per day coffee habit. Purchase a floor mat and DVD to work out at home and save $100 per month on your gym membership. Buy groceries and cook at home to save money otherwise spent on pricey restaurant meals. If you aren’t commuting to class, consider using public transportation—transportation costs (including the cost of gas) currently account for 17% of the average student’s budget. If you make a list of all the things you are spending your money on, you may be surprised at how much you can actually save.

Choose a Cheaper Destination

One way to make your vacation affordable is to choose a destination that is inexpensive. This does not necessarily mean cutting out quality or fun, but it does mean doing some research about travel destinations and deals. Popular spring break destinations often raise their prices during March and April, so going to an off-season location could save you a tremendous amount of money. You may also want to consider going to a less-expensive destination; South Padre Island in Texas, Puerto Rico, and Daytona Beach in Florida all made the U.S. News rankings of the “Best Cheap Spring Break Destinations.”

Make it a Group Trip

Consider taking a trip with some of your friends and sharing expenses. If you can fit four people into a hotel room, you will pay far less than if you have to pay for the room alone. If you are driving to your destination, consider taking one car and sharing gas expenses. When possible, eat your meals at “home” rather than spending money on expensive restaurants.

There are hundreds of ways to save money toward your spring break vacation. Discuss your ideas with your friends and make a plan. In no time at all, you will be enjoying your break and return to school relaxed, debt-free, and ready for finals. When you go on spring break don’t forget to take along an ipad case with a keyboard! You don’t have to be studying, but you will want to stay in touch with the rest of the world, from whatever exotic location you chose.

Once you go off to college, you’ll quickly discover that you’re on your own. Whether you attend a traditional university or enroll in an online college, it will be worlds away from what you’re used to. No longer will you have teachers making sure that your homework is turned in on time or parents who make sure that you’re studying. When you begin college, your successes and failures lie strictly on your shoulders. Since successfully completing your courses the first time will benefit you financially, here are five sources of assistance to utilize when you find yourself struggling:

1. Your Professor

Your professor is often your first source of assistance when you find yourself falling behind in class. Most professors will list office hours and their preferred method of contact in their syllabus. If you don’t understand a term, need clarification on a theory or need some extra help working through your calculus problem, your professor is your first avenue of assistance.

2. A Tutor

Don’t be shy about seeking out the help of a tutor. Whether you find a tutor through your college or seek one out online, a tutor can give you the one-on-one help that you need to make it through class successfully. College students often find tutors most helpful with subjects like math and science. You’ll often find that having someone explain a problem or idea to you in a different way makes the light bulb click on.

3. A Classmate

Every time you attend class, you are surrounded by a dozen sources of help. It’s rare to find a student who isn’t willing to help out. If you notice a student who seems to understand the material better than you do, ask him or her if they can help you or if you can borrow their notes. Offer to take your classmate to the local cafe for a cup of coffee and pick his or her brain. You never know if they can help you unless you ask.

4. A Study Group

Study groups are a great way to prepare for an exam. A group of people discussing the same subject virtually guarantees different viewpoints. This is a great way to pick up any information that you may have missed or misunderstood. Study groups are also a great way to socialize with your peers. If your class doesn’t have formal study groups, start one yourself.

5. Your Advisor

If you simply can’t find the help that you need, or if the help that you have found is inadequate, set up a meeting with your advisor. He or she may have other avenues that you can explore. Your advisor may also have suggestions about changing your course load or pursuing a different path if what you’ve chosen is simply too difficult.

The key to finding success in college is seeking help when you need it. Find assistance as soon as you begin to struggle or fall behind. The sooner you find help, the faster you will get back on track.

Author Bio:

Today’s guest article comes from Brett R. He is a senior writer at SolidEssay.com, which is a college paper writing service based in the U.S., where he instructs students on how to write essays and research papers based on specific requirements.

Today’s college students are being forced to take on more student loan debt than ever, creating a suffocating problem when graduation hits. Instead of feeling the relief of emancipation from the educational system, recent college grads are hit with the harsh reality of their schooling in the form of loan repayment plans.

At the same time, though, college students shouldn’t be forced to compromise on their college experience just in the name of cutting costs. Rather, students should focus on finding ways to set up and live within a budget that minimizes unnecessary spending and lets them choose when and how they want to splurge. To help make those budgeting dreams a reality, here’s a quick and simple guide to cutting the fat out of college spending while still indulging in those great opportunities.

Get a roommate

Even though most college students are social enough to want a roommate, even would-be recluses should bite the bullet and find another person to share the rent. In doing so, you can split the costs of a residence and save hundreds of dollars a month.

Finding a part-time job—or, even better, a paid internship

If you can swing it while still keeping up in class, a part-time job can offer some much-needed cushion to a tight budget. But if you want to do your future career a service, try to get hold of a part-time internship. Whether they last a semester or a full year, internships will carry more weight when you’re trying to get a job in the future—and some may pay better than what you’ll earn waiting tables.

Setting up a bank account separate from your parents’

Most new college students are unfamiliar with the costs of life in the real world, and they may underestimate their monthly bills—not to mention their ability to pay them. Having your parents as a financial fallback is a great layer of protection, but be sure to set up your own bank account and learn to manage your finances. Ultimately, it takes experience to become a skilled and diligent adult living on a budget, and it’s important to learn at an early age the financial drawbacks of filling your car’s trunk with Twinkies.

Spending wisely on study abroad opportunities

Traveling is part of the college experience, but it’s often hard for many college students to swing because they’re limited in their funds. Still, don’t be afraid to check out your school’s various study abroad programs, all of which offer different destinations and prices for half-year and full-year packages. By choosing a cost-effective program, purchasing budget travel insurance for students and planning in advance to lock in low flight costs, you could trim some of the expenses from such an adventure and make it more attainable.

Of course, when all else fails, you can always pay off student loan debt later on in life. Despite your best budgeting efforts, no one should have to turn down a chance to study in France, for example, just to avoid a few thousand extra dollars in student loans. Once you’re out of school with a degree in-hand and a full-time job to pay the bills, you can always make up for bills accrued during college—especially when those bills are modestly sized. With so many incredible opportunities available to you in college, it’s worth a few extra bucks to get the most out of your education.

Today’s guest article comes from Joseph Baker. He has business management experience spanning over 15 years.  He has led strategic planning and systems of implementation for nine organizations, public and private, and has worked extensively with small businesses. His education background ranges from teaching to school administration.

The following opinion piece was submitted by J. Randy Green, Executive Director of Financial Aid at Wittenberg University.

Frack Higher Education…

No, I’m not using a vulgar term, nor do I advocate that all Battlestar Galactica fans rise up against their alma maters.  What I’m calling for is a reformation of the higher education industry.

Few would argue that there is value to obtaining education beyond high school.  Numerous studies have shown that people who stop learning at the high school level, or who do not finish high school, are at a much greater risk of poverty, crime, and dying young.  But there are benefits beyond those provided to the individual.  To prosper as a nation in an increasingly competitive global environment Americans must be highly skilled.

But our system of providing those skills is broken.  We are unable to deliver the education the average student needs at a price the average family can afford.  This is where fracking comes in.  “Fracking” is a term used for a special technique developed to pull oil and natural gas from rock formations that were previously inaccessible.  The theory has been around since the 19^th century, but only with technological advances in the late 20^th century, applied now broadly in the 21^st, has it become economically feasible.  It is so effective that the United States is expected to become the world’s leading producer of oil within ten years and the leading producer of natural gas even earlier than that.[i]

This is what is needed to resuscitate education in America; the application of new or existing techniques utilizing new or existing technologies to provide education to large numbers of Americans in a cost effective manner.  But this is not a trivial exercise.

First, we must clearly define the goal of higher education.  That goal is not a degree or certificate.  (From this point forward, I am using the term “degree” to include all post-secondary education whether it be for a doctorate, certificate, or trade apprenticeship.) A degree has symbolic value only.  It is one of life’s mile markers, without intrinsic value.  Having a degree is reflective of the effort that went into attaining it and the learning that occurred during the attainment of it.

We must ensure that this remains the case.  If it becomes possible for students to earn degrees without following strenuous programs, then possessing a degree will be meaningless.  I fear that our focus has already become too narrowly expressed as obtaining a degree in order to generate a higher salary.  If the goal of higher education were to obtain a degree, then degrees will become commodities – in the sense that “a gallon of gas is a gallon of gas” so will it be that “a degree is a degree”; as long as you have one it wouldn’t matter what you had to do to get it.  The goal of higher education therefore cannot be the production of degrees, but rather must continue to be the education of students.  And this is accomplished by providing a quality educational experience.

The efforts of institutions to create and retain a quality educational experience have proven to be costly.  The cost to institutions to educate students – for quality instructors, updated equipment, safe facilities – rises each year and so the price charged to families by those institutions rises each year.  But although costs have risen quickly, prices rose even more so – too quickly for families to keep up.  Some students who would benefit from education, and whose education would benefit our country, have to seek other options for no other reason than their families lack the ability to pay the amounts institutions are demanding.

There is much discussion currently afoot surrounding aspects of this disparity.  Terms such as “accountability” and “access” are tossed about.  Great efforts are going into securing financial assistance for education, and into re-imagining the delivery system for that assistance.  These efforts, while important, lack consideration for the underlying cost structures upon which higher educational institutions are constructed.  Without this consideration, they will fail.

To succeed, these discussions must look not only at the sources of funding, nor solely at the policies and procedures devised to deliver funds to schools or to students or to families.  To succeed, these discussions must look at those items in conjunction with the structure of education and its associated costs.

Some posit that the answer to the issue lies in scale – the mass education of students through distance learning or free lessons offered via the Internet.  Once a lesson is developed and produced, how often does it really need to be updated?[ii] Perhaps the lessons could be broken down and put to music – I’ve learned a thing or two from “HistoryTeachers” videos on YouTube and I still remember “Schoolhouse Rocks” songs from my youth.  (Seriously, check them out if you haven’t already.)

One could also posit that the answer lies in disassembling colleges and using the proceeds to support public libraries.  Almost everything taught in a college classroom is available in a book somewhere.  As long as the books are returned, this could be a wonderfully low cost method of educating the masses.  Tuition would simply be the sum of a student’s late fees!

But anyone who has assembled a child’s toy on Christmas Eve can attest to the fact that the written word is an imperfect teacher.  There is a reason that an ancient form of teaching persists.  This is the form used almost universally by parents who show their children how to brush their teeth, change a tire, and make Pop-tarts without burning fingers.  Placing a teacher in proximity to a pupil and permitting them to interact is a millennia-old method that still appeals to the human learning condition.

This is not to say that any student or group of students can have only one path to success.  There are students who will succeed regardless of the program or school they select or whether they enroll at all.  There are also students who enroll in programs for which they are not prepared or well-suited because they believe they have to do so to succeed, and by enrolling in them fail to achieve what they could at some other type of school.

But to succeed as a nation, we must address not only the special students, but all students.  We must find a way to restrain costs for every educational delivery method; we must secure sufficient financial assistance; we must efficiently deliver the education and the financial support in such a way that families can manage the price they must pay.

Our strategic reserve of talented young people remains strong.  We must find some combination of tradition and innovation, of technology and personal interaction that will enable us to tap those reserves.  We owe this to generations past and future.

Frack Education!

[ii] As a student of history, I would argue that the answer to this question is “Often!”

About the Author:

Mr. J. Randy Green is the Executive Director of Financial Aid at Wittenberg University (a private liberal arts college located in midwest Ohio). Mr. Green eats, sleeps, and breathes financial aid and has done so for over two decades. He currently serves as President-Elect for OASFAA (Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) and has authored many articles related to the financial aid aspect of higher education. One of his more “memorable” articles is The Top Ten Ways A FAFSA Is Like A Colonoscopy.

A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree offers a way to enter the teaching profession after getting a bachelor’s degree in another subject area. While scholarships may not cover the entire cost of earning a MAT, they can cover a large portion of it, making the cost of attaining a MAT more reasonable.

When searching for scholarships to help cover the cost of your teaching degree, keep a few things in mind. First, make sure the scholarship can be applied to graduate-level instruction, as many teaching scholarships only cover undergraduate courses. Second, look for scholarships related to the subject area or grade level you hope to teach. You are more likely to find a scholarship by searching for those that apply to a specific area of instruction, particularly if you aspire to teach science, math, engineering or technology (STEM) courses at the secondary level.

Here are a few resources to help you start your scholarship search:

TeachingTips.com
TeachingTips.com features 101 scholarships for prospective teachers. Scholarships are arranged by category and include options for minority teachers and subject-specific scholarships. A special category of scholarships also lists awards designed just for fellowships and graduate-level scholarships, although many of them are designed for current teachers who want to expand their knowledge.

Teachers Count
Teachers Count’s I Wanna Teach section is designed to help teachers find the funds they need to make becoming a teacher a reality. Six different scholarship lists are provided: national scholarships, regional scholarships, local government programs, specific schools, federal scholarship programs and general scholarship databases. While the lists of scholarships are not exhaustive, there are multiple listings that those seeking a MAT may find promising.

Teachers of Color
Teachers of Color lists scholarships available to minority students who want to become teachers. Scholarships are listed by state, but all 50 states are not represented. However, the website also provides tips to help prospective teachers stand out from the pack and win scholarships, including encouraging students to apply to as many scholarships as possible, even if they are not sure they meet all of the requirements.

Troops to Teachers
Troops to Teachers encourages former military members to become public school teachers. Through this program, veterans are provided with both the funding and counseling needed to cover the education needed to become a teacher. This includes up to $5,000 to help cover the cost of a teacher certification program and up to $10,000 for teaching in a low-income school.

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Keep in mind that most organizations offering teaching scholarships are not looking for bulked up resumes, good grades on college transcripts and high test scores. The goal of most educational scholarships is to put high-quality teachers in the classroom. They are looking for individuals with a passion for education and a desire to make a difference. While your credentials may help you qualify for the scholarship, your reasons for wanting to earn a MAT and pursue a degree in teaching may be what help you win the scholarship.

Today’s guest article comes from Sarah Fudin. She currently works in community relations for the George Washington University’s public health graduate programs, which provides prospective students the ability to earn an MPH online. Outside of work Sarah enjoys running, reading and all things education.