Strategies to finance your higher education: Strategies include cost reduction and academic planning, but the most important involves identifying, evaluating, and selecting financial aid

Students can employ many strategies to finance their higher education, including cost reduction, academic planning, and direct financial aid. We will not discuss cost reduction here, for it is subject enough for a separate article. It is sufficient to state that cost-reduction decisions often have farreaching implications, and the choices students make in this area reflect personal lifestyle and sacrifice. We will, however, address specific strategies in the areas of academic planning and direct student aid. Using strategies in both these areas will enhance any college student's pursuit of higher education.