Q: When I say I'm worried about being able to pay for college, my friends and family try to reassure me by saying, "God will provide." I definitely believe God can, but should I expect him to? After all, it's not exactly a life or death issue. Does God really promise to provide money for my college tuition?

A: Paying for college provides a great opportunity for you to learn to trust God more. That doesn't mean sitting back and waiting for things to just fall into place. It means inviting God into your decision-making process. It means praying about where he wants you to go to college, and then trusting him to help you get there and to find the money you'll need to be able to stay there.

There are wonderful stories out there about college graduates who made it through college with money they believe God provided just when they needed it—an anonymous check in the mail when tuition was due, or other amazing scenarios. Others are just as convinced God provided for them through their own hard work or a job that opened up just when they needed it. I wonder what your story will be as you trust God and fully participate in the college to which he guides you. I believe it will be worth telling.

Q: My mom and dad say there is no way we can possibly afford a Christian education. Is a Christian college really too expensive for a family with an "average income"? If so, it seems unfair and even unchristian that a Christian education is only for those who have a lot of money.

A: Actually, Christian colleges and universities tend to be more affordable than other private colleges. There are three reasons why this is generally true: 1) Many Christian schools receive charitable and denominational support; 2) Christian colleges and Bible schools tend to be good and careful stewards of the resources God has given them; 3) They are committed to offering need-based aid to help families with average incomes like yours.

Many students at Christian colleges are from families that do not have a lot of money. Often students are working hard to contribute toward their education—and so are their parents. Those families believe that Christian higher education is worth the cost. And students tell me they would not trade their Christian college experience for a less expensive university or college.

I must encourage you and your parents not to give up on the possibility of a Christian education. Do some research. Compare costs. Explore scholarship, grant and loan possibilities. If you do, I believe you'll find a school that's not only affordable, but also well worth the cost.

Q: As soon as I turned 18, I started getting all of these credit card applications in the mail. I think it would be a good idea to get one, because if I need to buy something while I'm at college, I can't just ask my parents to pay for it. But my dad says college students can't handle credit and thinks it's a bad idea for me to get a card. Who's right?

A: Sorry, but Dad wins this time. I double-checked with some Bethel College students, and they agreed: The reality is that credit cards put a lot of students in debt. College students told me that they know many friends who are in serious trouble with credit, so they have this advice for you:

• At some point in your college career, when your parents agree that you're ready, get one credit card and use it for emergencies only. (An emergency is car trouble or a plane ticket home for a funeral. An emergency is not a great sale on shoes or new sports equipment.)

• Use that solitary credit card for the purpose of establishing a good credit rating.

• Never charge more to the card than you have the cash to cover at the end of the month.

• Choose a credit card company very carefully, checking on annual fees and interest charges. They vary significantly, and many of the offers you're receiving probably have some of the steepest rates around.

• Consider a debit card (or "check card"), which draws right from your bank account and won't get you into trouble with interest.

Most people agree that credit cards aren't awful in and of themselves. They're actually quite handy, and some things (especially those bought by phone or on the Internet) can't be purchased any other way. The key is using them wisely. Establish good patterns for your credit card use in college, and you will prepare yourself well for post-college money management.

Q: The college where I really want to go isn't offering much scholarship money. Going there would be very hard on my family financially. But another college that was low on my priority list has offered me a lot of scholarship money, and it wouldn't be a financial burden at all to go there. Help! What should I do?

A: Your favorite school may be so right for you that it will be worth the financial sacrifice. But your situation is an opportunity to prayerfully consider both options and to look carefully at each reality. Here are the questions I'd suggest you think and pray about: Is it worth the extra investment in your future to go to College A? Will your experience at College A be significantly better than what you are likely to have at College B?

Ask College A to review your file. There may be something they missed, and they might be able to adjust the need-based portion of their offer to you. Also, your grades and standardized test scores may have improved since the time of your application. If that's the case, let College A know. You may qualify for more money for academic honors—honors which had not yet been awarded to you when you first applied.

This is a good time for you to thoroughly research both options and trust God to provide what you need to attend the school that's best for you.

Q: My grades aren't that great, so I'm wondering if I should even try to apply for any scholarships. Do I have a chance at free money if I'm just an average student?

A: There are many scholarships that aren't tied to academic performance, so don't rule out any award possibilities. Do apply! Colleges want students who bring interesting backgrounds and experiences to their campus. Schools can offer scholarships for participation and leadership in various activities as well as for scholarly achievement. The same is true for community and civic organizations. These groups value well-rounded students who demonstrate a servant spirit or who are accomplished in areas other than academics.

Q: My parents can afford to pay for college, but they're not Christians and they're refusing to pay for me to go to a Christian college. I don't think I can qualify for any financial aid because of my parents' income level, but I sure can't pay for it myself. Help! What should I do?

A: First, do everything you possibly can to have a good relationship with your parents in the midst of your differences and decision-making. Ask God to help you respond to them and to this situation in a way that is God-honoring and will influence your parents positively. Wouldn't it be amazing if God used you in their lives to bring them to know him as you do?

This is a good time for you to keep your options open. Visit several different campuses if you can and take your parents with you. Perhaps they will be able to see what the Christian college offers and be willing to help you go there. Or perhaps if you were to save quite a bit of money toward that school, your parents might notice how important your preference is to you and decide to help you. But they may still refuse to pay. In that case, you'll need to think hard about how much you are willing to work to be able to attend the college of your choice.

Be sure you go through the whole financial aid process at the school you want to attend. Complete the forms just to be sure of the amount of money you could possibly receive. Also, visit the financial aid person at the schools you're interested in and explain your story. Ask about the standards for declaring yourself independent. If you're able to apply for aid on the basis of your personal financial status, you're likely to qualify for more financial aid, which will make school more affordable. There are, however, pluses and minuses to such a move. For instance, if you declare yourself independent, you would no longer qualify for your parents' medical insurance.

I know a student in a situation similar to yours who was able to work for enough money to attend the school she wanted to without the help of her parents. Eventually, her parents realized how good the Christian college has been for their daughter and were glad she went there.

I know I said this before, but let me really emphasize this: Be careful not to alienate yourself from your parents in this process. You want to continue to have a good relationship with them, no matter where you go to college. So keep them informed about what you are thinking. Be respectful. If you cannot find a way to pay for the school of your choice without their help, then accept that reality. Find a school they're willing to help with and make the most of it. There are many Christian organizations like Campus Crusade, InterVarsity and Fellowship of Christian Athletes where you'll find opportunities for discipleship, service and leadership and be encouraged to deepen your Christian faith. That's a worthwhile goal wherever you attend college.

Q: I know it's not right, but I'm really jealous of this friend of mine. Her parents are giving her a brand-new car as a high school graduation present, and because her mom and dad make big bucks, she'll have all kinds of money to spend at college. I'll be lucky to afford a pizza once a month! What can I do about my jealousy? And how will I ever have fun at college if everybody else is like her, always going out and doing stuff I can't afford to do?

A: Don't worry—everyone at college is not like her. You'll probably meet some other students like her, but believe me, they'll be the minority.

All of us tend to overestimate other people's wealth and underestimate our own. You probably have friends who think you have more money or can afford to do more fun stuff than they can. Whether or not money differences become a friendship-breaker is up to the people involved.

However, it's true that people often hang out in groups where everyone has roughly the same amount of money. At college, you'll be able to find friends who have similar spending limits as yours, and you'll have a great time doing whatever fits your budgets. Besides, college social life isn't about money—it's about spending time with people, which doesn't have to cost anything. The friends you'll meet are a great benefit of college life, one you could never put a price tag on.

Your friend with the brand-new car may have to leave it home during her freshman year anyway, because many colleges don't allow first-year students to have cars on campus! If that happens, don't gloat; take the opportunity to learn to be thankful for what you have and not envy others.

In Hebrews 13:5, the Bible tells us to be content with what we have. With God's help, someday you'll be able to rejoice over your friend's good fortune and be at peace about your own circumstances. When this happens, you will have learned a significant lesson about what it means to live as Jesus taught us to live. So enjoy that monthly pizza with your friends, whether they are rich or poor. And when it's time to pick up the pizza, ask your friend with the car to drive!

Q: My parents are bugging me to get a part-time job so I can start saving money for college. But I have no idea where to start!

A: Think of things you really enjoy doing. Do you like being with people? Try joining the wait staff at a local restaurant. Do you enjoy working with children? Sign up to do day camps with your local parks and recreation department.

You may want to talk with a school counselor—or with others who know you well—about what fits you. If you start asking questions, you may even get a job offer from a friend's parent, a church member or a neighbor.

Your parents may have some good ideas, too, and they'll be encouraged that you are warming up to the idea of getting a job! Show them you're a responsible spender and saver, and before you know it, they'll stop bugging you and start bragging about you.

There is also something else to remember. It's great to have a job you enjoy. Right now, though, it's simply important that you start earning money to save for college. So be willing to do something that's not a "dream job" so that you can contribute to your college education.

Judy Moseman is vice president for student life at Bethel College, Minnesota.

Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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