Finding College Money in Unexpected Places

Shannon Kietzman, Contributing Writer

Updated: 3/13/2010

Are you struggling with finding ways to pay for your college expenses? Despite the passing the most recent Stimulus Package, which provides for a $2,500 credit for those going to college, many people are still finding it difficult to find the funding necessary to pursue a degree. But, you might be surprised to learn that there are other ways to find college funding – and none of them require having graduated at the top of your high school class, taking out loans or joining the military.

Finding Unusual Scholarship Opportunities

Many people believe they can only win scholarships if they were in the top 5% of their graduating class or if they were a star athlete. But, the reality is that there are many unusual scholarship opportunities available if you know where to look. If you have a hobby, there is likely a club or organization out there that offers scholarships specifically to people with that particular hobby. Believe it or not, the more unusual or specialized your hobby, the greater chance you will probably have at finding a scholarship! So, perform an Internet search for organizations related to your hobby and find out if any scholarship opportunities are available.

Working with Your Employer

Oftentimes, employers will pay for part or all of the college expenses for their employees. In order to qualify for these funds, you will likely need to meet certain requirements. For example, you may need to maintain a certain grade level or you may have to choose from a pre-selected list of colleges and universities. You may also have to select from a pre-determined list of degree programs, but some employers are quite flexible when it comes to the types of degree programs they will pay you for pursuing. After all, having any type of college education is generally better than having no advanced education at all.

Networking with Future Employers

In addition to looking at your current employers for possible tuition reimbursement opportunities, you may also want to consider looking forward to possible future employers. Within some industries, it is possible to find companies who will pay for your education if you agree to work for the company for a certain number of years after graduation. Not only will this help you pay for your college expenses, it will also provide you with a guaranteed job upon graduation! It is truly a win-win situation for everyone involved!

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