How HBCU Students Can Creatively Pay for College and Avoid Debt

Last Updated on September 14, 2023

It seems as though all we hear about college is the rising tuition rates. While this may be true many HBCU are ever working towards making college more affordable. With the in-state low cost tuition many HBCU’s provides paying for college still can become a struggle for many. This is where the rubber meets the road in terms of being creative enough to pay your tuition; while still being able to finish college with little to no debt at all. If you are not careful it is easy to run up a quick $20k-$30k in debt in a few years without the proper guidance and financial education. Your “Financial Aid” department in your school ought to be changed to “The financial Education” department. You need to be taught about all the resources available to you concerning paying for your education.

Digging your well before you get thirsty

What good is a Bachelors degree in “Accounting” with no job prospects and $50,000 in debt or more to start your career? The lure to avoid this type of question makes it easy to stay in school and further your studies; but if you do not have a plan in place you could easily that could be an extra $10k- $20k added to your debt if you are not careful. The solution to offsetting these potential liabilities lies in you being able to share your story; and find practical strategies that make college affordable.

Crowdfunding your Dreams & Aspirations

With the American Economy on its last leg it will become harder than ever in the future to get people to part ways with their money. Getting people to support your idea, vision or business idea will be significantly more difficult. And will take you to “think outside the box” in terms of understanding how to make a profit. You can have the best idea in the world but if you have no clue as to how it will benefit society you can forget it. Profit doesn’t necessarily mean dollars and cents but the social impact you aim to create. You got to know how to take a great idea wrap in a pretty little bow and give to the world as a Christmas gift. Kamron Redding, a nursing student from Hampton University did just that and was able to raise money for his college education. He must have known that there were thousands of campaigns like his and that he had to stand out from the crowd. With his 4 minute video he was able to spell out in great details who he was and what he wanted to get accomplished.

Another example is the story of 19 year old James Ward who was able to use a crowdfunding platform titled “Homeless to Howard” to get $12,000 in donations for his college education at Howard university. Ward is a young man who would not let his not so ideal circumstances (Homelessness) to damper his ability to achieve his ultimate goal. Despite the instability in his life at that moment “three high schools in four years” he was still able to see his vision to fruition.

Write the vision and make it plain

Do you have a story to tell that could change the world? Or perhaps you have a gift that is very unique and worth sharing with millions of individuals? Whatever the case may be you are not alone as thousands of individuals struggle to find the right words, symbols, and phrases to tell their story. Meryl Runion, author of “Power Phrases “The perfect words to say it right and Get the results you want” offers some amazing insight into being able to effectively communicate what is true versus what is convenient. She explains that when people do not have the words to say they usually say nothing at all. But, this time you have to speak up and begin to tell your side of the story.

12 Ways to make college more affordable

• Become a dorm room Entrepreneur (Market & Sell you talents)
• Graduate early by taking Summer Classes (2 class for 3 summers is a whole semester)
• Take the maximum number credits (Don’t be lazy and settle for 12)
• Become a part-time student (Work and study at the same time)
• Explore distance learning options (The credits per hour may be cheaper)
• Don’t get a degree if all you need is a certificate (You could save thousands)
• Save Money (No shopping sprees because ignorance is expensive as well)
• Put yourself on a budget (No frivolous spending)
• Never buy a Textbook (use the internet)
• Don’t go crazy with your meal plan (Read more than you eat)
• Apply for scholarships (write those essays)
• Mentor the youth ( Give back)

Tyrone Brackens

Tyrone Brackens is a Mentor and Social Entrepreneur. He recent founded DSLAB Technologies, Inc (Center for the Development of Social Learning & Advanced Breakthroughs) which is a Community Development initiative; where HBCU (Historically Black College’s & University) students can be trained and mentored in the fine arts of “Entrepreneurship, Wealth Creation, & Philanthropy”. You can follow him at HBCUEnlightened (Pintrest, Twitter & Facebook), on his blog at www.hbcuenlightened.wordpress.com or email him at [email protected].