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How Students Can Save $40k On Their Bachelor’s Degree

How Students Can Save $40k On Their Bachelor’s Degree

August 21st, 2020

Overseas university education is often expensive, but it does not have to be so costly. Have you ever wondered how to get easy college admission, and save $40,000 on the cost of your Bachelor’s degree in the USA? Well, there is a program called “2+2” University Transfer, where students study a US community college for 2 years and transfer to a university for the final 2 years of Bachelor’s degree. Often students think they cannot afford a full university’s bachelor’s degree that could cost easily $150,000 (tuition only) over 4 years. There are many ways to save money and have a great educational experience with the 2+2 University Transfer program.

Most USA universities' international tuition is anywhere from $25,000-40,000 for one year of tuition. Many community colleges in the USA cost international students about $10,000 in tuition for a year. It is very smart to study at a lower price point and get the same or similar educational experience and outcome. There about 4,000 colleges and universities in the USA, and that includes 1,200 community colleges. About 45% of American undergraduate students study at community college because they are affordable, have open admission, flexible degrees, and their classes transfer smoothly to universities. About 85,000 international students study at community colleges for many of the same reasons their American classmates do. After studying 2 years at community colleges there are hundreds of great public and private universities in all 50 states that will accept transfer students.

International students can also save money or make money in the USA by having a part-time on-campus job while they are full-time students. For example, all student workers in Washington State make at least $12 an hour (highest state minimum wage in the US) and they can work up to 20 hours a week while class is in session. Students should not expect a job their first semester of college, but after they earn good grades, volunteer, and manage their time well then they would be competitive for on-campus employment. Also, International students are able to work off-campus, full time for one year after they complete a college degree in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. Most students and parents are unaware that international students can do OPT after they complete their 2-year Associate’s degree at a community college, and again after they complete their university Bachelor’s degree.  Lastly, students can earn a merit scholarship at a community college and their transfer university. Usually, the community college scholarships are small, because their tuition is significantly lower, and universities generally offer more merit aid if their tuition is higher. A student could get a $500 scholarship a community college in Seattle and transfer to Washington State University with a $4,000 scholarship based on good grades at their previous school.

Saving money and earning money for an overseas college education should not happen quickly. Families should save for college education for many years because it is expensive. The vast majority of colleges and universities in America require the student’s family or government sponsor to demonstrate they have the financial ability to afford one year of the cost of attendance as an admission requirement. Be prepared to cover the cost of your college education but there are some ways to save money and make your American college education a more affordable investment.

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Bjorn Myhre

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