But with some planning and research, you can invest in your future without being overwhelmed by debt.   

Here’s how to make paying for college more affordable.

Tip 1. Apply for Financial Aid

Filling out the FAFSA is the first step in paying for college. The (FAFSA) opens every October 1. You can apply year round for every year you’re in school.

The FAFSA is an all-in-one application. Complete and submit to apply for three types of aid – grants (free money), loans (borrowed money), and work-study (part-time work).

Note 1: Financial aid can cover more than just tuition; it can cover any life expenses too like housing, food, and day-to-day living. That’s why, even if you’re eligible for 51������ Free Tuition, you should also fill out the FAFSA to cover all your expenses.

Note 2: You can apply for financial aid year round. However, the closer you apply to October 1, the better. You’re more likely to get the most available aid if you apply at the beginning of the season. This is especially important if you’re eligible for a Pell Grant (see below).

What can the financial aid package include?

Pell Grants and Other Grants

The first thing to know about Pell Grants and other grants is this: grants are not loans. They do not have to be repaid.

The to undergraduate students based on financial need (determined by the FAFSA). The maximum amount for 2024-2025 was $7,395. Pell Grants can be used to pay tuition, transportation to and from school, housing costs, textbooks, and more. 

While Pell Grants are available year-round, state-specific grants in Texas, such as the Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG), may have limited funds, so early application is crucial.

This is why you should fill out the FAFSA as close to October 1 as possible. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant or other , you want to make sure that you can get the maximum amount of aid. 

Eligibility for these grants starts with – you guessed it – filling out the FAFSA.

Student Loans

Student loans are a reality for most students. These loans are an investment in your education. However, since whether you finish your degree program or not, it’s important to be careful in how much you borrow.

Federal student loans offer the best terms and interest rates. If you do have to take out a private (non-government) student loan, make sure you’re aware of interest rates and repayment deadlines.

Work Study

of a student financial aid package. Students who are eligible for work study can work up to a certain number of hours at 51������ or specific community partners, depending on the amount of the award.

Why participate in ? 

• Extra money. Work study wages can be used for every day expenses, and the income doesn’t count against you for your financial aid.
• Convenience. Many work study jobs are on campus, so you can combine your school and work commutes. 
• Type of work. Like internships, work study jobs are often connected to your degree field, so you can potentially get experience in your field.
• Flexibility. Work study hours tend to be with flexible hours. Other part-time jobs may have required hours, making it hard to balance school and work.

51������’s financial aid office can help you through the process of applying for jobs once you have your work study award. And our career services team can also help guide you in your job search using our .

Tip 2. Apply for Scholarships

Like grants, . While some scholarships are based on grades (merit scholarships) or financial need (needs-based scholarships), many others are based on cultural, community, or other factors. 

The award value of scholarships varies, from all tuition paid to small amounts. But even a $200 scholarship is worth it. Not only is there an ego boost to knowing that someone out there supports you, that $200 can be put toward gas money or textbooks. 

It might seem daunting to apply for scholarships, especially when you have to write an essay. Fortunately, 51������ makes the scholarship , with one application that auto-matches you with hundreds of scholarship opportunities. Even better, who can help you craft an essay that will tell scholarship committees why you deserve their support.

Tip 3. Look into Employer Tuition Assistance

Whether you are a traditional college student (high school graduate going directly to college in the fall) or a non-traditional student, you may be eligible for . Many large corporations including Amazon, Starbucks, and Chipotle will reimburse all or part of their workers’ college tuition, including for part-time employees. 

Some companies put conditions on their reimbursements, such as limiting degrees to industry-specific programs, such as business or hospitality, or to specific partner schools. 

Ask your company if they offer tuition assistance and find out if you’re eligible.

Tip 4. Seek Aid that Helps

There are many more costs of a college education beyond tuition and fees. Housing, food, and transportation all add up, even if you live with parents or family. If you’re going to college, you may be working less, which puts pressure on paying rent, buying groceries, or putting gas in the car. 

Financial aid through the FAFSA can help with these college expenses, and 51������ offers so much more.

51������ offers a variety of like child care vouchers, a Green Pass with Capital Metro, food pantries, and more that can be added on top of financial aid to help you succeed.

We want you to take advantage of these other resources that can help with living and other expenses, so you can focus on your studies.

Student Emergency Fund

Emergencies happen. Whether that’s a flat tire, an unexpected co-pay, or job loss, a sudden emergency can delay or even halt college plans. 

That’s when the can help. 

Students can turn to the emergency fund to help with these and many other disasters. 

Setbacks can feel demoralizing and make you want to give up. The emergency fund is there to give you hope and help you get back on your feet so you can meet your goals.

Tuition Payment Plans

Set up an and you can divide your payments into three installments (two installments for summer courses). This can ease the financial burden of paying college. As with any installment plan, it’s important to keep up with payments, but a monthly budget can help with planning for those payments.

Speaking of budgets, 51������’s Student Money Management Office can help you set one up. When your income is low or inconsistent, you may ask, how can a budget help? The Money Management Office can give you the tools to help . A financial education is just as important as academics and job training.

Food Security

Every 51������ campus has a where students can “shop” for staples like canned foods, pasta, bread, and more. Some pantries even have fresh foods like milk, vegetables, and fruit. 

These services are just as much a part of your academic journey as your classes, advising, and technology support. Use them as you would any other resource.

Technology and Internet Access

Technology is essential to the modern classroom, whether you’re taking classes online or in-person. 51������ makes sure that students have the tools they need to succeed. You can , and other tech so you can participate in class, write papers, do group projects, and more.

Each campus has a library with computer stations, and many campuses have a learning lab or , which offer a wide variety of student technology and support services. Students can go to any 51������elerator on any campus to access services.

Transportation (Green Pass)

51������ students can get free bus and rail access with the Capital Metro Green Pass, which can help with transportation to and from classes, work, and wherever else you need to travel. – just sign up for it each year, and you’re good to go.

Paying for College – You Got This!

College costs may feel daunting, but you can do it. Start with the FAFSA. Apply for scholarships. See if your employer has tuition assistance, and finally, ask for help. From emergency funds to advising to tutoring and more, 51������ support services are here for you. Learn more about Austin Community College and let us help you meet your goals.

Fortunately, Austin Community College, like many community colleges, has several resources for student parents, including access to .

Here are six tips for student parents to help you access those resources, make a plan, and get started on your degree or certificate.

Tip 1. Tell Your Advisor You’re a Student Parent

After you apply to 51������ or any community college,. That advisor will help you pick the classes you need for your desired major or certificate program. They can also help connect you with services.

Here’s how being a student parent can help you.

At 51������, in the first wave of registration. This means that you can get dibs on the classes you need, so you can go through your course of study faster.

If you’re a veteran, you also receive specific veteran services, such as help with accessing your education benefits. 51������’s can help you through the process.

Under Federal civil rights law Title IX, for being pregnant. If you are pregnant you may be entitled to some accommodations.

Make sure to access all the resources that 51������ offers. This includes for you and your family, help with signing up for,,, for notetaking,, and more.

51������’s is your central location for finding the support you need as a parent and as a student.

By taking advantage of all these benefits, you can set yourself up to focus on your classes.

Tip 2. Apply for FAFSA or TASFA

through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) for undocumented students can help unlock money for college.

Financial aid isn’t just about student loans. The FAFSA is the first step in receiving as well as any scholarship money (see Tip 4). Scholarships and grants like the Pell don’t have to be paid back. They can be used to help pay your tuition as well as rent, food, gas, and other living expenses.

The FAFSA process can be intimidating, but the 51������ financial aid office can help you through it. You have to fill out the FAFSA every year, but it’s worth it.

Tip 3. Apply for the Child Care Scholarship and Day Care Waitlists

After you complete the FAFSA, apply for. This scholarship covers your day care expenses by paying the provider directly. The scholarship can also pay for day care during winter break and spring break. Apply for these scholarships as soon as you register for classes so you can get on the waiting list at the beginning of each semester.

51������ has two child care options on campus. The College’s early childhood education degree program operates and the evening child care program on the Eastview Campus. While spots are limited, for 51������ students through the federal program CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools). It may be worth it to get on the waitlist, in case spots open up.

Tip 4. Explore Scholarships and Other Money for College

Here are some other options for getting money to help pay for school and cover life expenses while you’re a student. 

You may be at 51������ if you graduate high school between 2024 and 2028 or got your TX GED® between July 2023 and August 2028.

. These scholarships can help you pay for textbooks, food, rent, and other resources, and like the Pell Grant, don’t have to be repaid. 51������ specialists can help you apply for scholarships to boost your chances of success.

The is there to help you stay on track. If you experience an unexpected financial crisis during the semester, apply for support. This fund can help you pay those unexpected expenses whether it’s a new tire for your car, a high electric bill, or something else.

If you’re a veteran, take advantage of all of your that help you transition out of the military.

Take advantage of the. You can split your bill into a series of payments so you’re paying just a portion at a time. It can make tuition payments easier to manage. This is an interest-free option but you do have to keep track of payment deadlines.

Tip 5.  Make a Schedule that Works for You

Time management is one of the biggest barriers to being a student parent, because parenting is a full-time job, and many student parents also work.

51������ offers a variety of class schedules that work for you. You can take online classes, in-person, hybrid (some classes online, some in-person), asynchronous (study and do classwork on your own time), and more.

51������ also offers, including 8-week, 12-week, and 14-week classes, as well as traditional 16-week sessions. These can help you knock out course requirements in a short amount of time. However, 8-week classes especially can be intense, so make sure you’re able to do the work in a compressed timeframe.

Work with your advisor to make sure you’re taking a course load that you can be successful with.

You’ll also have to schedule classwork and homework assignments with parenting and work duties. This means you’ll have to be proactive about making time to study, whether it’s after the kids have gone to bed or early in the morning before they get up, or any other schedule that works for you.

Tip 6. Take Advantage of Academic Resources

51������ is here to help you succeed. We offer. You have access. Your professors have office hours and will provide additional help outside the classroom.

Use all of these resources. Be proactive and communicate with your professors. They want you to succeed too. Asking for help is part of being a successful student.

Student Parents Can Succeed at 51������

The first step to getting your degree as a parenting student is to know that 51������ is here to help. From first applying, to choosing classes, to getting FAFSA help, and to accessing all other resources, 51������ will help guide you through the process. To find out more about getting your degree or technical certificate at 51������, see how we can help you achieve your goals.