Okay so forgive me guys im asking a question out of ignorance not out of trying to make a point or be judgmental.
I hear all the time about how college is so expensive and out of reach for alot of people, and im not understanding why that is.
I went to college from 1998-2002 as a electrical engineering major. From 98-00 I was actually in highschool at the same time, but taking college level courses from our local community college to get both highschool and college credits ( College algebra for example could be used for highschool math requirments as well as college credits).
I'm not sure of all the fine details but if i remeber correctly the state was paying for it because i was stll in highschool, and earning highschool credits, so that took care of some of the costs right there.
I got good grades in highschool, and through networking (applying at various companies and using internet search to find reps of local electronic companies) I was able to get a internship with motorala, and as long as i maintained a B average, paid for my classes once i actually entered into community college.
Community college core classes are transferable to university I.E. Eng 101-102, college algebra etc. These classes cost less than half of the cost of taking the same thing as university level.
Long story short, through grants, and scolarships I was able to keep my costs down to about 600 a semester (lived at home, and paid rent). I just don't understand how people can come up with 40k a year or more in debt to go to school.
Has something changed, are there no more grants, or scholarships? Are people just getting shitty grades? Are people scared of taking core classes at a community college level and pay 4x more to take the same thing at university? Is nobody working a part time job to offset the costs of class?
Also...what about the military option?
I joined the army For the experence (just going to work and school got old), and i quialify for the new post 9/11 GI bill. They pay for 100% of college costs as well as give you a living stipend every month (anywhere from 700-1600 a month depending upon location). For 2-6 years of service it sounds like a pretty good deal. Why are more people not taking advantage of this?
Also, while in the military they will pay up to 4500 a year for school, ive been going to college for the last 4 years while in the service and have not paid a dime.
Would people rather go into 50k+ in debt to go to school than go into the military for 2 years and have school paid for in full?
Any college students out there could clear this up for me id be happy. I just don't understand how peple are aquiring so much debt to go to school when theres ways to avoid it.
Please pardon my spelling fellas i know my grammar is awful