If you’ve read this book by Robert Kiyosaki, “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” you’ll realize that getting a college education, securing a 9 to 5 job, and then moving up the corporate ladder is not the most effective way to get rich. .

However, this does not mean that a college education is getting cheaper, just because the rat race is no longer fashionable among the younger generation. In fact, it costs a decent amount of money that requires financial planning from the birth of the child.

Between the costs of tuition, books, room and board, and school service fees, the total bill can add up quickly. However, there are ways to get reduced or even free tuition for your college education.

Goal for scholarships

This is obvious, but you will be surprised that many students do not apply for scholarships. There are many scholarships available, and while good grades are a must, you don’t have to be the valedictorian of your class. Check with your high school counselor or college academic advisor for application criteria.

Get free tuition

Some states offer free tuition for bright students from low-income families so they can attend college. In New Jersey, you may be eligible for free tuition at your community college if you are in the top twenty percent of your high school class. Just do some research online and see what’s available.

Beginning in 2008, Stanford University will no longer charge tuition to students whose parents earn less than $100,000 a year. Additionally, all room and board fees will be waived for students whose families earn less than $60,000 a year. The program also eliminates the need for student loans.

In 2008, MIT also announced plans to offer free tuition for those whose families make less than $75,000 a year.

Other ways to get free tuition include:

1. Employee benefits

Human resources are one of the most important assets of a company, therefore, many employers focus on training and improving the skills of their workers so that they are more productive and gain a competitive advantage.

If you want to further your education, there are usually partial or full refunds, especially for tuition classes related to your job description.

To qualify, you will generally need to earn a passing grade of no less than a “C.” Check with your employer for terms related to any tuition reimbursement policy.

For school employees (at colleges and universities), there are usually benefits like free or reduced tuition. In some cases, this extends to members of the immediate family. This could be one more incentive to work as a volunteer university assistant for the good of your children.

2. G.I. Veterans

If you’re a veteran of the US military, you may be eligible for free tuition that includes college courses, job training, certification tests, and much more.

3. Tests outside of class

This means you take a test outside of class, which is usually cheaper (about a third) than paying for the entire class. However, you must have in-depth knowledge of the subject and it is at the discretion of the university. You have to convince them with your resume and reasons.

Getting free tuition is not an impossible task. There are options available, but it is a matter of being creative, proactive and persevering. To save the exorbitant cost of between $25,000 to $80,000, I think the effort is fine.