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How to Graduate Debt-Free: The Best Strategies to Pay for College #NotGoingBroke

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Nearly 70% of students graduate with close to $30,000 in debt. But you don't have to be one of them!

In these pages, acclaimed author Kristina Ellis walks you through the wide world of college-finance options, presenting tips, secrets, and strategies so you can develop a personalized plan. A plan to overcome obstacles and get your degree debt-free.
With Kristina as your mentor, you'll discover how

-Establish a winning money mindset
-Save up and cut costs before you get to campus
-Figure out the dollars and sense of financial aid
-Secure your share of free cash for college
-Earn money to pay as you go
-Choose a school and a major that's worth it
-Stretch your funds when every penny counts

With determination, the right information, and a well-planned strategy, you can earn that career-advancing degree and graduate from college debt-free. #NotGoingBroke

224 pages, Paperback

Published August 9, 2016

2 people are currently reading
36 people want to read

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Kristina Ellis

10 books5 followers

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for La-Shanda.
242 reviews9 followers
May 17, 2018
The book, "How to Graduate Debt Free: Simple Ways to Avoid Devastating Student Loans"
by Kristina Ellis should be introduced to students in grades 8-10. This gives students a real sense of how to be be debt free in preparation for college/university. The book is easily adoptable as a supplemental tool in English Language Arts (ELA) and Social Studies classes focusing on Financial Literacy and reading and speaking skills. I was most fortunate to receive a class-set of the book (22 copies) through a grant funded by The Education Fund. Although my students are currently taking Economics (a semester course from January 23-June 7, 2018) read and discussed the book, my students appreciated the conversation [book talk] and will use some of the recommendations to continue seeking financial support (scholarships and work study programs) in order to avoid massive student loan debt. Author Kristina Ellis tips for "How to Graduate Debt" offers good advice to students. This book can also be used at home; parents seeking to be supportive can have how to be debt free book talk with their son/daughters who are college prospects.
Profile Image for Ashley Johnson.
23 reviews6 followers
January 14, 2020
This book was amazing! Very practical advice and easy to follow! I am a school counselor and even learned a few new things myself! I would highly recommend to any parent or student who is college bound.
41 reviews1 follower
December 27, 2019
I like how it gets specific about searching for scholarships. I am dedicated to making sure my kids don't have any debt after college, so it is definitely helpful with some aspects.
Profile Image for Ilana.
1,077 reviews
August 15, 2016
Living and studying in Europe my whole life, I ignored for a long time the fact that education can be a very problematic investment and burden. When talking with my American academic friends, they often mention that even after 10 years, they still have to pay or find solutions for paying an impressive college debt. As for me, I went from college to MA and after that, PhD studies, without paying any dime. Just because high education was free, unless I wanted to enroll to some private academic classes, which I didn't. I used to work since 18 and was independent financially since, but I still think that an eventual college financial burden would have dramatically affect my life.
Hopefully, there are more and more books lately aimed to help parents and children navigate the troubled waters of high education in the US. Kristina Ellis, herself a beneficiary of impressive scholarships, is sharing her experience and knowledge in a very systematic and practical way.
'Think of paying for college as a marathon. By maintaining a steady stride between spending and saving, you can make it through each leg of the race and cross the finish line, graduating debt free'. Usually, the average costs for attending college per year can go around 19,500$, for in state, and $44,000 private.
First and foremost, the potential college candidate should start working towards the goal as early as possible. Starting to make a plan, for instance, by creating a budget and starting to save, using the power of compound interest or earning as many credits in advance as possible.
Second, it is important to be informed and in this advanced Internet era, everything is much easier than before. For instance, you do not need to go in person at the college tours, and use instead the virtual presentation. It could be a significant source of financial relief. Information is gold also when it comes to the decision to go to college as such. The potential student should start asking as many questions as possible in order to figure out if this college and no other is answering his or her academic needs and professional plans.
The application process can be expensive too, as it involves passing various tests and acquiring documents proving the conformity to the academic standards expected from a potential student.
When it comes to applying for scholarships or federal loans - such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid -, the process should be started as early as possible, taking into consideration all the documentation requirements and criteria necessary.
With a lot of work and careful preparation, the application can be accepted or various alternatives used in order to eliminate or diminish significantly the financial burden. Otherwise, students are adviced how to find ways to start paying the debt even from the first year of college, by taking side jobs or building their own freelance business. Such an approach can be very helpful for the next professional steps, due to the acquired experience and the practice of work ethics.
Although with a clear readers target, the North American students, or anyone interested to apply at an an American college, this book is also useful for those without the need to worry about college loans, but that can learn a lot about how to plan the academic and professional career as early in life as possible.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher via NetGalley.
Profile Image for Tima.
1,678 reviews129 followers
August 4, 2016
College is expensive. Any parent or college student will tell you that the thought of ending college with a mountain of debt is not a good one. But how is a parent with little to no savings or a student with only a part-time job able to handle college without paying for it years after graduation? This books takes the best strategies and ways to pay for college, thus saving the parents and students a world of headaches and stress.

As a parent, the idea of paying for two college tuitions is daunting. So I was excited to read this book and see what the author had to say. She takes her own personal experiences and her degree in business to write a well thought out and understandable plan that can be tweaked for anyone. I was expecting a lot of information. But I was not expecting how entertaining and interesting the author was able to make it. I was able to read through the book quickly and didn't get bored or bogged down in the details, but I also gleaned quite a bit of useful information that I can use to start planning for my children's education. The author has an easy, smooth writing style that feels personable and well informed. I would recommend this book to anyone with children or any student getting ready for college.

I received this book free of charge from First Look in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Julie.
169 reviews
June 5, 2016
Navigating college is stressful enough but paying for it, thats a whole different type of stress! I wish someone would've given this book to my parent or myself during the end of my high school years. This book gently explains different banking terms, loan terms and has several tips and ideas for how to best reduce the cost of college. This book ignites readers to start thinking about a financial map and how to allocate your saving and earnings with the coming expenses. I would definitely recommend this book to college bound parents and students.
*I received an ARC via NetGalley & Worthy Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jeffrey Trull.
16 reviews20 followers
October 3, 2016
This is the book I wish I had when I was in high school and applying to college. While I enjoyed the whole book, the chapters on scholarships and loans would be invaluable to anyone who's getting ready to attend college and wants to avoid a mountain of debt
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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