3 Ways You Can Make Pursuing a Graduate Degree More Manageable Financially
Cost is still a big concern for many who want to pursue a master’s degree. A master’s degree can be very expensive indeed, although you do get the opportunity to push your career forward at the end of the program. The market is filled with new opportunities to explore as well, which means a master’s degree is more valuable than ever.
So, is it possible to make pursuing a master’s degree easier financially? The answer is definitely a YES. In this article, we are going to take a closer look at three ways you can make pursuing a master’s degree more manageable financially.
Affordable Loan
Considering tuition fee and other costs of getting a master’s degree are relatively expensive, you would want to get a student loan to finance the pursuit. Any expert will tell you that you should never go for the first student loan offer you get.
First of all, the financial market is just as competitive. You can find a better, more affordable loan to finance your graduate degree in almost every situation. Don’t hesitate to negotiate a better deal on the loan too. Some financial institutions will even throw in additional discounts just because you ask.
You can also take a more active stance in making the loan more affordable. For example, you can repay some of your credit card bills and make efforts to improve your credit score before applying for the loan. You can also get a student loan preapproved to get an even better interest rate.
Go Online
Do you know that online degrees nowadays are around 40% more affordable than the equivalent offline degree? I say equivalent because online programs are run by the same universities and follow the same strict standards as offline courses. In fact, most online degrees are more up-to-date and are now preferred by employers.
The University of Cincinnati, for example, has a very good online health information management program that is famous among medical institutions. Those with an online HIM degree from the university are highly sought after; past graduates can have built successful careers.
Studying online also means you don’t have to worry about moving closer to the university, commuting for classes, or even quitting your job to become a full-time student. The courses are very flexible and allow you to study at your own pace.
Make It Count
Lastly, you have to be smart about boosting the return on investment of the degree. You can start by claiming tax cuts and grants available to graduate students. These tax reductions alone are substantial.
Don’t forget to look for scholarships too. There are scholarship programs designed specifically for online students. At the same time, general scholarship programs now allow online students to apply. Even a small scholarship worth $1,000 helps reduce the cost of getting the master’s degree of your dream.
A graduate degree may seem expensive at first, but you have so many options to make it affordable and more manageable financially. All you have to do is utilize the tips in this article and take the first step towards securing a better future for yourself.