| The Washington Post found a wide variety of tuition-free programs at nearly 1,000 schools in 45 states, representing a mix of elite private campuses, two-year colleges, four-year universities and vocational schools. Take a look. Community college was good enough for Steve Jobs People in the know understand that community colleges can be an inexpensive, or even free, launchpad to a bachelor’s degree and future success. (Jobs attended De Anza College in Cupertino, California, before co-founding Apple.) The average published tuition and fees for undergraduates at a public community college was $4,150 in 2025-26, compared with $11,950 for in-state tuition at a four-year public and $45,000 at a four-year private college, according to the College Board. What’s more, on average, full-time students at two-year colleges receive enough grant aid to cover their tuition. “Oftentimes it is really seen as a last resort, but community college is a good strategy and business decision for a lot of students,” said Candice Mackey, a college counselor at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, a public magnet school, who credits her own start at a community college with helping her earn a bachelor’s degree with little debt. She said students who want to follow her path must be vigilant about academic advising to ensure they take classes that will count toward their bachelor’s. Don’t max out the credit cards. Take the Klarna route. Payment plans aren’t just for retail; most schools will let you pay as you go. Many colleges and universities offer monthly payment plans that let students spread out the cost of school over the fall and spring semesters. These installment plans can be a good alternative to borrowing money to pay all at once, as long as you read the fine print. ⚠️ Beware: Schools typically charge an enrollment fee for the plan each semester, as well as late payment fees and sometimes fees for paying with a credit card. Students can use the plans to pay for tuition, fees, on-campus housing and meal plans. “Even with the modest fee, it’s going to be much less of a cost than a loan that you’re going to pay interest on over 10 years or more,” Vasconcelos said. “It can be a great option for families who are making a decent amount of income.” Let Uncle Sam pick up the tab The government offers a lot of education benefits not only for military volunteers, but also for their families. Active-duty members can have their tuition covered by the federal Military Tuition Assistance Program. More than 1,700 colleges will also cover tuition for Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets who commit to service after graduation. Veterans can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill to knock out tuition expenses. That benefit can be transferred to a spouse or child of current service members with six to 16 years of service. Hunt for the free money There is money out there for everyone, despite misconceptions that only athletes and the smartest or neediest students are awarded scholarships, said Ann Garcia, a wealth adviser at the Mather Group, a wealth management firm. According to the College Board, private scholarships made up 6 percent of student aid that undergraduates received in the 2024-25 academic year, while grants directly from colleges and universities accounted for 33 percent. Garcia said students should apply for as many scholarships as they can but keep in mind that they might receive the most money from colleges, which routinely use tuition discounts to recruit. (Our next newsletter installment will have more scholarship tips.) After you’ve exhausted all other options Parents can borrow up to $20,000 a year or a total of $65,000 per child through the federal Parent Plus program. The program is designed to help families when undergrads hit the cap on federal student loans, which generally limit borrowing to $31,000 in total. It’s usually easier to qualify for a Parent Plus loan than a private loan because of the limited credit check. But the government charges a 4.2 percent fee for making loans to parents — four times what students are charged — and that’s on top of the 9 percent interest rate on the debt. Garcia said parents should be cautious about these loans and encourages her clients to find colleges they can afford without them. One in 10 college undergrads are in high school, earning college credits through dual enrollment programs, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. | Everyone can get a scholarship if you look in the right places. You don’t have to have a 4.6 GPA. There are even scholarships for being tall. Ann Garcia, wealth advisor at the Mather Group | | | | | 
