Tag: College
Cost of Tuition Shouldn’t Deter Students
July 15, 2025
According to the Education Data Initiative, the cost of tuition at a four-year college has increased by 141% over the last twenty years. The average yearly cost for classes ranges from $9,750 at a public school and $35,248 at a private school.
Even with the rising cost of college, a degree still gives many graduates a higher earning potential. In 2023, workers with a bachelor’s degree earned 61% more than those with a high school diploma.
A 2024 Third Way survey found that 29% of high school students don’t plan on attending college because of the price, but the cost of tuition doesn’t have to be a barrier.
Here’s everything parents and prospective students need to know about saving for college.
Earn a Two-Year Degree for Less
One of the easiest ways to save money on tuition is to remain where you are. When you attend an in-state school and can prove your residency, you avoid the much higher out-of-state tuition rate. You can save a lot of money on tuition if you earn the first two years of your degree at a public community college before transferring.
A year at a community college can cost as little as $3,500, while attending an out-of-state public university can cost $35,000 per year. Plus, if you weren’t accepted into your first-choice university after high school, earning your two-year degree improves your odds of being accepted into another four-year university as a transfer student.
Most states also offer dual enrollment during high school. This means that students can attend both their high school and a local community college simultaneously, earning college credits or even a two-year degree by the time they graduate from high school. Not only do graduates get a head start, but they also shave two years’ worth of tuition off their bottom line, since the state funds these programs.
“A lot of people don’t go to college because it’s just so expensive,” says Ahmad Shehadeh, a Roxbury Community College student who’s attending through a Massachusetts state-funded program. “So by tuition being free, it’s benefiting the community in a way, and I’m glad that other people like me will have the opportunity to go to college and pursue what they need to pursue: their dream.”
For more information on your state’s dual enrollment opportunities, you may check the Education Commission of the States.
Meet With Your Counselors
To find out if your high school offers programs like dual enrollment, you’ll need to meet with your school’s guidance counselor, and the sooner you start high school, the better. Guidance counselors can help students devise their post-graduation plans and assist with the college admissions process, financial planning for tuition, and even scholarship applications.
The same rule applies to college. Financial aid counselors can help prospective students determine how to pay for their classes. Contact a counselor at each of your potential schools. For instance, they will know if their college offers work programs, such as the Federal Work Study program, where students can work on campus part-time while enrolled in classes.
All high school and college counselors will likely encourage every potential student, regardless of age, to complete a FAFSA form to determine if they qualify for any government aid.
Saving With a 529 Plan
Parents who want to begin saving for their children at birth will yield the most savings if they start earlier. The longer you wait to begin saving for your child’s tuition, the more you’ll have to save up each month to have enough for four years of tuition by the time they graduate from high school.
Using a savings account that yields interest for as long as possible is also beneficial. A 529 plan is a high-yield savings account designed for educational expenses. If you can save $100 a month in a 529 plan for 18 years, the total amount contributed will be $21,600. If the average annual return is 5%, your total savings with interest would be $35,400.
A 529 also comes with tax incentives. The money you earn as interest is tax-free, as well as any funds you withdraw for the beneficiary’s educational expenses. Additionally, these accounts are designed for anyone who wants to attend college. Adults who wish to return to school can open these accounts, name themselves as the beneficiary, and use the interest-bearing funds for their tuition.
Budget As You Go
College learning tracks vary for each individual. There’s always the option of taking one to two classes per semester instead of a full load of four or more. Students may opt to complete their degrees over a more extended period for various reasons, such as needing to work full-time or having children. Saving up for classes as you take them comes with some upsides, such as being able to focus more intently on coursework.
“If you’re working during college, you’re gaining important work skills that will be valued by future employers,” says Daniel Douglas, director of social science research at Trinity College in Connecticut. “You know about showing up on time, following directions given by a supervisor, and being generally diligent in your duties.”
Whether you’re a high school student or an adult who wants to attend college, begin to calculate how much money and time coursework will cost you. For example, if you still have to juggle a full-time job, then you need to be realistic about when you’ll attend classes and study. Time needs to be part of your budget, too.
When to Consider a Loan
There is no shame in considering a student loan once you’ve exhausted every other payment option. This is especially true if you have a high return on investment, meaning you’re earning a degree that will help you obtain a high-earning career. If you’re considering a loan, start with Federal Student Loans, which offer several built-in protections.
The cost of tuition shouldn’t deter anyone from pursuing their dreams. By doing research and conferring with counselors, you can come up with a plan to pay for college, even if that means getting creative. With Insureyouknow.org, you may store all of your research, financial planning, and school records in one place, making it easier for you to review and stay focused on your goals.
College Pathway for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
August 30, 2024
When raising a child with special needs, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to preparing for college. Everyone’s situation varies significantly depending on the intellectual or developmental disability. Many parents utilize high school-to-college transition programs, while others choose vocational or life-skills training routes.
Students with IDD (intellectual or developmental disabilities) such as autism, visual impairment, and deaf or hard of hearing, can complete a traditional college degree with accommodations provided through a college’s Disabled Students’ Programs and Services (DSPS) department. Students with intellectual disabilities that wouldn’t be able to participate in a regular college program still have options. There’s an increasing number of non-degree programs designed specifically for students with intellectual disabilities on college campuses. These programs allow students to take college courses part of the time while also learning how to live independently and gain work experience in businesses that fit their career goals.
No matter what goals you have for your child, it’s important to research the options available to you early on.
Make Post-Graduate Plans Well in Advance
Ninth grade is the perfect time to begin planning for after high school graduation. Parents and students should work closely with their school’s guidance counselors, transition specialists and any other outside resources, such as your state’s rehabilitation services department, to put a plan in place.
Chances are if you have a teen with special needs, then you have experience working closely with school personnel each year to coordinate all the necessary accommodations with their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). If you’re unclear about the transitional process or post-secondary options, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Many parents can find the planning process overwhelming, so working with the resources you already have is a great place to begin.
Work With the College You Choose for Support
When you begin to narrow down possible programs and colleges that might fit the needs of your child, get in touch with those potential schools and talk to them about what they offer. “For students choosing to attend college after graduation, contact the Special Services Office at the campus as you plan your college visits,” says Sandye Cox, a transition consultant at Region 10 Education Service Center in Richardson. “Students who have received special education accommodations at the high-school level may be eligible for services at the college level,” she says.
Project CASE (Connections for Academic Success and Employment) is a high school-to-college transition program, for example, that helps students ages 18 to 25 with developmental disabilities to earn an academic degree or technical certification, as well as seek employment. They help students keep a log of academic and social progress and work with them to set up expectations and back-up plans. Services such as these provide encouragement and help students remain motivated. Other centers like The Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research at Texas Tech University assign a learning specialist to students accepted into the program to help them navigate college life.
If you’re unsure about what a college has to offer your child, give them a call. You’ll likely discover there are many opportunities as campuses are striving to be accessible and suit every student’s unique needs.
Highly-Rated Colleges for Students With IDD
There are programs at colleges across the country designed to help neurodiverse students succeed, whether they have a physical disability, a developmental one, or one related to learning. When researching schools, get familiar with what accommodations and support services they offer students with disabilities. Other factors to check for are campus accessibility, a culture of diversity and inclusiveness among students, and whether or not the programs offered fit the career goals and interests of your child. Once you have a list of potential schools, contact the college’s office for disability services for more information and try visiting the campus in person before applying for admission.
Here are six of the best colleges for students with disabilities.
1. InclusiveU at Syracuse University. Developed out of the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, this program offers students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience fully inclusive college life at Syracuse University. They offer individualized coursework, mentors and Peer2Peer support, and weekly seminars on topics like health and wellbeing, budgeting, dating and relationships, and conflict resolution. They also help with pursuing semester-long internships and on-campus jobs, in addition to a variety of social and extracurricular activities.
2. Next Steps at Vanderbilt University. Next Steps is a four-year program that helps students with intellectual disabilities to develop academically, socially, and professionally. Next Steps students are part of the Best Buddies program that fosters friendships with general education students. Peer mentors serve as lunch or workout partners, academic tutors, and daily planners to help students dive deeper into the typical college experience.
3. Destination Dawgs at the University of Georgia. Destination Dawgs is a five-semester certificate program for students with intellectual disabilities. The program allows students to prepare for their transition into adulthood with on-campus housing, peer support, and career training. They offer courses alongside directed studies tailored to each students’ interests and career goals.
4. IDEAL at Georgia State University. The IDEAL (Inclusive Digital Expression and Literacy) program is for students with mild intellectual disabilities between the ages of 18 and 25. They focus on the development of media literacy, storytelling, and media production skills so that each student can find their “voice.” Support is received through peer-mentors, and students can participate in internships with local businesses and arts organizations.
5. The Mason LIFE Program at George Mason University. The Mason LIFE Program is a four-year program for young adults with IDDbb who seek the benefits of a supportive academic environment within a university setting. Students attend classes 20 hours a week in traditional courses alongside program courses like banking, mindfulness, and human sexuality and relationships.
6. Aggie ACHIEVE at Texas A&M University. Aggie ACHIEVE (Academic Courses in Higher Inclusive Education and Vocational Experiences) is a four-year inclusive program designed to equip students with IDD for future employment. ACHIEVE students live on-campus and have access to all campus-related activities and events. Each student’s program is tailored to their unique goals, and they have internship opportunities within their field of interest.
Many parents want their children to remain close by and in-state. ThinkCollege.net is a user-friendly directory of college programs for every state. Insureyouknow.org can provide one easy-to-access place where you can compile your research, store educational records, and track your child’s achievements. “Do not assume that they won’t be able to achieve. Every student — disabled or not — needs a good education,” says Martha Siegel, a mother of a son who has Asperger’s. “Love your children and guide them, but give them independence,” she says.