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How Families Make College Work At Any Cost

Gabriel Mistral

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Published in Indebted: How Families Make College Work At Any Cost

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College is a major investment, both financially and emotionally. For many families, the cost of college is a significant burden, but they are determined to make it work, no matter what.

There are a number of ways that families are making college work at any cost. Some families are taking on more debt, others are working multiple jobs, and still others are cutting back on their expenses.

Indebted: How Families Make College Work at Any Cost

by Caitlin Zaloom

4 out of 5

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One family that is making college work at any cost is the Smith family. The Smiths have three children, all of whom are attending college. The Smiths have taken on a significant amount of debt to pay for their children's education, but they believe that it is worth it.

"We want our children to have the best possible education," said Mrs. Smith. "We know that college is expensive, but we are willing to make sacrifices to make it happen."

The Smiths are not alone. Many families are taking on more debt to pay for college. According to a recent study, the average American family with a college student owes more than $30,000 in student loans.

Taking on more debt is not the only way that families are making college work at any cost. Some families are working multiple jobs. Others are cutting back on their expenses.

The Garcia family is working multiple jobs to pay for their son's education. Mr. Garcia works full-time as a mechanic, and Mrs. Garcia works part-time as a waitress. Their son, Jose, is a full-time student at a local university.

"We know that it is a lot of work, but we are determined to make college happen for our son," said Mr. Garcia. "We want him to have a better life than we did."

The Garcia family is not alone. Many families are working multiple jobs to pay for college. According to a recent study, more than half of all families with a college student have at least one parent working multiple jobs.

Cutting back on expenses is another way that families are making college work at any cost. The Johnson family has cut back on their expenses in order to pay for their daughter's education. They have stopped eating out, they have sold their second car, and they have started shopping at discount stores.

"We are making sacrifices, but it is worth it," said Mrs. Johnson. "We want our daughter to have the best possible education, and we are willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen."

The Johnson family is not alone. Many families are cutting back on their expenses to pay for college. According to a recent study, more than two-thirds of all families with a college student have cut back on their expenses in order to make college happen.

Making college work at any cost is not easy. It requires sacrifice and determination. However, for many families, it is worth it. College is a major investment, but it can also be a life-changing experience.

Here are some tips for families who are making college work at any cost:

Start saving early. The earlier you start saving for college, the more time your money will have to grow.
Take advantage of financial aid. There are many different types of financial aid available, including grants, scholarships, and loans. Do your research and apply for all the aid you can get.
Consider working multiple jobs. If you need to earn more money to pay for college, consider working multiple jobs. This can be a temporary sacrifice that can pay off in the long run.
Cut back on your expenses. Take a close look at your budget and see where you can cut back. Even small savings can add up over time.
Don't give up. Making college work at any cost can be challenging, but it is possible. Don't give up on your dream of a college education. With a little hard work and determination, you can make it happen.

Indebted: How Families Make College Work at Any Cost

by Caitlin Zaloom

4 out of 5