12 Tips to Pay for College Without Parents’ Help

Paying for college on your own is a big challenge, but for many students, it’s the reality. Maybe you want financial independence. Maybe your parents can’t afford to help, don’t want to contribute, or you simply don’t want to risk their financial security. Whatever the reason, you’re far from alone: roughly 15% of college students receive no financial support from their families, according to federal data.

Covering tuition, housing, and daily expenses without parental help takes careful planning, but it’s possible. This guide walks you through 12 practical ways to pay for school, so you can reach your academic goals without overloading yourself with stress or debt.

Table of Contents

1. 1. Figure out your real college costs
2. 2. Start saving now (even small amounts)
3. 3. Hunt down scholarships and grants
4. 4. Work on campus or get a part-time job
5. 5. Tap into employer tuition help
6. 6. Ask about interest-free payment plans
7. 7. Borrow smart with federal student loans
8. 8. Compare private student loan options
9. 9. Look into alternative loan types
10. 10. Slash your living and school expenses
11. 11. Pick a school you can actually afford
12. 12. Think about a different path

1. Figure out your real college costs

Before you can make a plan, you need to know exactly what you’re working with. Once you’ve chosen a school, use the Department of Education’s Net Price Calculator to estimate tuition, fees, housing, and other living expenses.

In 2025, the average first-year undergrad at an in-state, four-year public college paid more than $27,000—about $2,250 a month. If you haven’t decided on a school yet, use that figure as a ballpark budget.

2. Start saving now (even small amounts)

Scholarships and grants are great, but they’re not guaranteed, and they rarely cover everything. Building your own savings should be a priority.

Consider putting money into:

• 529 education savings plan
• Taxable investment account
• Matched savings account (IDA)
• Certificate of deposit (CD)
• High-yield savings account

Even if you can only save a little each month, it adds up over time.

I recommend parents open a 529 plan as soon as you have your child’s Social Security number. I also recommend discussing college plans with grandparents. Often they need to spend down their estate for tax reasons and are more than happy to participate in funding college expenses.

3. Hunt down scholarships and grants

Scholarships and grants are essentially free money; you don’t need to pay them back. Start with federal Pell Grants and state aid programs.

You can also search:

• High school guidance office
• College financial aid office
• Your employer
• Local nonprofits and community organizations

4. Work on campus or get a part-time job

Federal work-study offers part-time jobs for students with financial need, often right on campus. Check with your school’s financial aid office to see whether it participates.

If work-study hours are too limited, a regular part-time job might give you more flexibility—and income.

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5. Tap into employer tuition help

Some employers will pay part (or all) of your tuition. Check with HR about education benefits, or target jobs with known tuition assistance programs, such as Starbucks, Target, and Walmart.

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Military service members, nurses, and certain public service roles may also qualify for education benefits.

I’m not sure if this is common knowledge, but if you can’t afford a college education, some employers like Target, Walmart, and Chipotle will pay for your entire degree!
by inpovertyfinance

6. Ask about interest-free payment plans

If your school offers a payment plan, you can spread tuition costs into manageable monthly installments, often without interest or a credit check.

Check with the financial aid office to see if you qualify.

7. Borrow smart with federal student loans

Federal loans should be your first borrowing option. Start with Direct Subsidized Loans, where the government covers interest while you’re in school.

Apply by submitting the FAFSA each year.

8. Compare private student loan options

Private student loans can fill funding gaps, but they usually require a cosigner, good credit, or steady income. They may offer shorter payoff terms but lack federal benefits like income-driven repayment and forgiveness.

9. Look into alternative loan types

Options like peer-to-peer (P2P) lending or income-share agreements (ISAs) offer nontraditional ways to pay for school.

P2P loans come from individual investors; ISAs trade tuition for a share of your future earnings. Both have pros and cons, so read the fine print.

I do not recommend taking on more debt for your entire schooling than you expect to earn in your first year’s salary. For example, an engineer may be able to afford more school loans than a sociology major.

10. Slash your living and school expenses

Housing and food eat up a big chunk of your budget. Consider cooking instead of paying for a pricey meal plan, or living off campus where rent is cheaper.

According to the Education Data Initiative, the average student spends $250/month on groceries—almost half the cost of “liberal” meal plans ($437).

11. Pick a school you can actually afford

Your dream school isn’t worth decades of debt. Explore community colleges, in-state universities, or the military’s GI Bill to keep costs down.

In-state tuition averages $9,750/year, versus $28,386 for out-of-state.

12. Think about a different path

College isn’t the only way to build a career. Many well-paying jobs, like in trades, tech, or creative fields, don’t require a four-year degree.

Jobs that pay well with no degree
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Student loans can also apply to trade school or career training programs, like cosmetology or aviation.