It's looking rough. You and your parents have had the College Money Talk. They wish they could just write a big check every semester to pay your college tuition, but that's just not how it is.

"You're going to have to help pay for it," your dad says gently but firmly.

You swallow hard. Maybe even break into a sweat. You sigh, and wonder, What does that mean?

To help you figure out how you and your family can work together to find the money you'll need, Campus Life talked to five students from various family backgrounds and financial situations.

Natalie Hintz knew she wanted to go to college in a small, Christian environment. She did some research and discovered Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota. Her application was accepted, and she was confident God was calling her to attend Crown. But she knew it would mean some tight budgeting and she'd have to be willing to make some sacrifices.

During her senior year of high school, Natalie's parents explained that they would contribute $4,000 each semester to her college costs. She would be responsible for the rest.

Throughout high school, she'd worked many odd jobs and managed to save most of what she'd made, which amounted to about $5,000. That was a start, but not enough. So once Natalie got to college, she took on a part-time job. She was getting closer. But still not quite enough. During her first year, she ended up taking out $3,000 in student loans.

Natalie, now a sophomore at Crown, feels pretty good about the role she's played in helping to save and pay for college. She's worked hard, been careful about her day-to-day expenses and done her best to stick to a tight budget. She credits her parents for her ability to manage her finances well.

"My parents are good role models," she says. "My sister and I have been able to learn from them by seeing how they've handled their money. They have always taught us to be careful with what we've been blessed with."

Natalie advises college-bound students to talk often with financial aid officers at their college, and to find out as much as they possibly can. She also recommends taking the ACT and SAT very seriously, because good scores aren't only helpful for getting into the school of your choice. They also can make a difference when it comes to winning scholarships.

Paying for college isn't always easy. But Natalie says she knows Crown is where she's supposed to be. She also knows that her God is a big God who understands all her needs.

"Sometimes I worry," Natalie admits, "but I also know there have been huge ways God has provided."

Gregory Thornquest started good savings habits at the age of 10, and was able to buy a car at 16 with gift money he'd been given over the years. He didn't, however, plan for college.

"No one really pushed me to go to college, " says Gregory, now a senior at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. "And when I finally decided to go, I really wasn't aware of all the financial responsibilities."

Gregory became a Christian in high school, and knew he wanted to continue his education at a smaller school with a Christian environment. For him, that's meant taking out loans.

"Taking out loans was the last thing I wanted to do," he explains. "I wanted to take out the least amount possible, and I got loans strictly for tuition and books, just things I needed for school. I know people who get as much in loans as they can and spend the extra money on cars and stuff. You can get caught up in the idea that it's free money, but you have to realize that you'll end up paying for it for a long time."

Gregory, who has worked on campus during his college years, admits to feeling somewhat envious of students whose parents pay for everything. But he believes he is better off in the long run.

"I realize that Azusa is where I'm supposed to be," he says. "Everyone says the situation I'm in builds a little character. I also believe it gives me more experiences in handling and understanding finances and budgets.

"When I get out of college, I will have great appreciation for my education because it hasn't just been given to me."

Jessica Mueller, a sophomore at Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina, is working her way through college. But for her, work means more than a part-time job.

"I've been spending a lot of time online searching for scholarships," Jessica says. "It's worth the time and effort to find the scholarships and write the essays because it really does pay off. There are tons of scholarships out there."

Jessica isn't exaggerating. One college-geared website claims there are 1.6 million scholarships, loans, grants and other financial aid awards worth more than $5 billion.

And while she has received some financial help from her parents, she also knows her jobs and scholarship searches have really paid off, helping her pay for a large portion of her education.

Her advice:"Keep your grades up throughout high school and college," says Jessica. And while not all scholarships are based on academics, Jessica says those were the types of scholarships that brought the largest amounts of money her way.

"I've learned that keeping your grades up is really important," she says "It counts toward financial aid as well as toward scholarships."

When it came to college, Matt Hall was a man with a plan—a financial plan, that is. Matt, an '03 grad from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida, started planning seriously for college his sophomore year of high school. He knew then that if he wanted to get a college education, he would have to pay for most of it himself.

"My father is a pastor and my mother stays home to take care of my brother, who is a special-needs kid," Matt says. "Working hard and planning it out was important because it's my education, plain and simple.

"I wanted to get the most out of my classes because I knew personally how much it was costing me. It would be wasting my money if I didn't try to do the best I could do."

For Matt, this often meant studying or working instead of going out.

"I guess I missed out on some fun. But I kept thinking: When I get out I will be much more prepared for the real world than those who spent all their time at the beach."

Because of his careful planning and hard work, Matt completed his education with only $10,000 in student loans. Not bad for a guy who's had to pay most of the bills.

For anybody who's serious about helping to pay for their education, Matt offers this advice: "You're never too young to start planning for how you'll pay for school. Start thinking about it right now. Once you're in college, be persistent in talking to financial aid counselors and seeking out scholarships. An extra $500 here and there can really add up."

And while Matt did miss out on some good times now and then, he believes it was all worth it. "I wanted a learning experience with a solid Christian environment," says Matt. "That's what I've received."

It was those little added costs that surprised Heather Coleman, a sophomore at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. "You hear a lot about the cost of tuition, but you don't hear about the parking passes, student IDs, meal plans, books, and all the little things," she says. "There are even courses that cost extra, but you take them because you really feel that you need to do it. Even a lost room key costs $30."

Heather encourages students to not only plan tuition, but to also ask financial counselors about the whole financial picture—including those little costs.

Heather has spent most of her life overseas on the mission field with her parents. As the daughter of full-time missionaries, Heather probably could have received a hefty financial aid package from some Christian schools. Belmont didn't have an extensive scholarship program for children of missionaries. It did, however, have something she wanted even more: a music program that seemed perfect for her needs.

Although her parents started a college fund for her when she was younger, the account had only $1,000 when she was ready to start college. She and her parents would have to look hard for the money she needed.

Heather and her parents have managed to obtain the financial aid they needed, including financial help from The International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. She also managed to receive around $5,000 in scholarship money. She found an on-campus job in the admissions office. The remaining amount was covered by small student loans.

"Sometimes I wish had a little more money and could afford things like a car, a cell phone and a computer," says Heather, "but I think about everything God has provided for me, and I'm grateful."

Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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