Introduction: Why Choosing a College with Low Student Fees Matters
More students than ever are searching for online colleges with low student fees. Why is that? Well, college is more expensive than ever.
If you’ve never heard of tuition inflation, then it’s time that you do. In the 21st century, the average cost of a college education has more than doubled. This is because tuition inflation continues to outpace inflation with a 4.11% CAGR.
For perspective, ask your parents about their tuition in the 1960s. You will be surprised to know that you’re paying 23 times higher tuition today. Between 2024 and 1963, tuition has risen 747.8% (adjusted for currency inflation).
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College can still be expensive even when you’re enrolled in a public four-year institution. You can, for example, spend an average of $54,231 on an online bachelor’s degree. Note that an online degree can cost less than an on-campus degree.
What about getting a full-ride scholarship or receiving a generous financial aid package? College can still be expensive because of living and unexpected expenses.
Fortunately, you can keep costs down by choosing an online college with low student fees. Note that low student fees usually mean affordable tuition. Tuition and fees, after all, go hand-in-hand as direct expenses.
However, choosing an affordable online college is only the beginning. Be sure to apply for financial aid even with low student fees and tuition, too. You can graduate debt free when you combine affordable tuition and financial aid.
Why look at student fees in the first place when selecting an online college? Most college students focus on the tuition per credit. This is understandable since it’s the biggest expense in the cost of attendance.
But student fees are also important in your decision. Fees can add up, sometimes to a few thousand dollars over the years. If you’re pursuing a four-year bachelor’s degree, it’s a significant expense.
Being able to save on fees will then ease your financial burden. You can use the fee-related savings on other college-related costs, such as e-books.
Related Articles:
- From Application to Graduation: Navigating The Stages of Online Student Fees
- High Value Colleges: How To Choose Affordable Online Colleges
- How to Find the Most Affordable Online Education: A Guide for Total Costs
- Uncovering Hidden Costs of Online Learning: Tips for Finding Affordable Colleges
- Understanding Fee Transparency in Online Education: Why It Matters
- Understanding Online College Fee Structures: Types and Tips to Save Money
Understanding Student Fees: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?
To understand student fees, we must first understand tuition fees or tuition. The term “tuition” is the primary cost of education, usually charged per credit or per term. Tuition covers the costs of instruction, course access, and operational costs.
Student fees are extra charges that online colleges collect from students. These are separate from tuition and, thus, the term “tuition and fees.” Every online college has specific fees that it imposes on students, so be sure to check. Ask for an itemized list if you’re doubtful.
Note, too, that online colleges can impose fees from application to graduation. This is also true for brick-and-mortar colleges, but the specific types vary. Online students usually don’t pay parking, athletic, and health services fees. These fees are associated with on-campus services that online students won’t access.
Student fees are classified into three major types.
- Mandatory fees are compulsory charges. You must pay them regardless of your enrollment status. Here are the most common examples:
- Application fees are your first introduction to the diverse fees imposed by online colleges. Ask about application fee waivers.
- Registration fees can either be a one-time payment or a recurring fee paid during enrollment.
- Assessment fees for transfer credit evaluation.
- Student services fees cover student support services. These include academic advising, online tutoring, and career services.
- Technology fees apply toward the maintenance, support, and upgrades of the digital infrastructure. These include the learning management system and other online learning resources.
- Library fees provide access to digital libraries, including databases and journals.
- Graduation fees include charges for your diploma, application for graduation, and participation in commencement ceremonies.
- Transcript fees cover the issuance of your official transcripts and other academic records.
- Administrative fees are general fees for course changes, late registration, and late payments.
These fees form the bulk of the total student fees.
- Program fees are extra charges that cover specific requirements in academic programs.
- Course fees enable access to course-specific learning materials, digital resources, and software.
- Laboratory fees cover the costs of maintenance and upgrades to laboratory facilities. You may be required to complete virtual laboratory sessions.
These fees are common in specialized academic programs. Nursing, engineering, and business fields are notable examples.
- Miscellaneous fees are charges that cannot be categorized with other types. These are usually lumped together, although you may be able to ask for an itemized list.
Each type of fee can seem small, usually in tens of dollars or less. But when you add them, the fees can be in the hundreds per term.
Let’s assume that you pay $1,000 in total fees per semester. Your total fees paid will be $8,000 in four years. No matter how you look at it, it’s a significant amount.
By understanding the impact of these fees, you can make smarter decisions. You start by considering reputable and affordable online colleges. Instead of on-campus programs, you choose an affordable online program. You can enjoy affordable tuition and fees and apply for financial aid. The chances of being able to graduate debt-free – or with low debt – increases.
Benefits of Low Student Fees in Online Colleges
Low student fees contribute to affordable college education in the following ways:
Reduced financial obligation
The lower the student fees, the more affordable your college education. Again, low student fees usually mean affordable tuition. Even if the tuition isn’t as affordable as expected, low student fees mean financial relief. You may even be able to apply for financial aid to cover both tuition and fees.
Decreased reliance on student loans
With low student fees, you’re less likely to take out student loans. This is a bonus, considering that student loan debt is a huge issue. There are 42.8 million borrowers with the average balance being $37,853 of federal loans. With less-than-usual financial worries, your academic performance can improve.
Increased financial flexibility
If you’re struggling with your finances, it’s easier to drop out. But low student fees combined with affordable tuition give hope for your college dreams.
Here are a few budget-friendly colleges with low student fees:
Western Governors University
WGU charges a fairly affordable $200 e-books and resources fee for its online degree programs. Students pay between $8,300 and $8,856 in average yearly tuition. WGU uses a competency-based model and flat-rate tuition that contribute to affordability.
University of Florida Online
UF Online adopts the same rigorous standards and affordable costs as its parent institution. The $6,381 in-state tuition is among the country’s most affordable tuition. The in-state online tuition and fees are at $129.18/credit, the lowest in the country, too. Required fees are $17.26/credit, while optional fees are $46.21/credit.
Georgia Southwestern State University
GSW charges $6,032 in average in-state tuition, among the most affordable in the country, too. In-state tuition is available for Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee residents, too. At $174/credit and low student fees, you can afford to earn an online bachelor’s degree.
Valdosta State University
VSU’s average in-state tuition and fees of $6,007 attracts students from all over the state. The eDegree cost per credit includes tuition and course materials. Students don’t pay additional fees. There’s also no cap on credit, meaning all credits are charged at the all-inclusive rate.
University of Central Florida
UCF Online has the same affordable tuition and fee structure as its on-campus counterpart. In-state students pay $6,368 in average annual tuition and fees. Online, in-state students pay $74.12/credit in fees; tuition is $105.07/credit.
Going back to the impact of student fees, let’s compare the fees between UF and Columbia University. UF students pay $63.47/credit in required and optional fees. Columbia students pay $3,170 in mandatory fees.
Indeed, choosing an online college with low student fees is an excellent start.
Avoiding Excessive Student Loan Debt
Again, you can avoid student loan debt if you choose an online college with low student fees. You can save money on college expenses associated with student loans, too. These include the interest and late penalty charges.
But it isn’t only low student fees that can save you from excessive student loans. You must consider these effective tips, too, to reduce college costs.
- Take full advantage of the available scholarships and grants in your college. You don’t need to repay them, too, meaning it’s free money for your college education.
- Check out external scholarships and grants, too. Scholarship search engines and databases are excellent sources of information. Fastweb, College Board, and Scholarships.com are popular.
- Look closer to your local community for financial aid opportunities. Local businesses, community organizations, and charitable foundations offer scholarships.
- Consider federal and state work-study programs. Find part-time work, too, if possible. Your additional income can fund your indirect expenses.
- For tuition assistance or reimbursement, check with your employer. You can, for example, earn a degree aligned with your current work.
- Transfer credits. Associate degree credits from a community college are an excellent idea. Prior learning credits from AP courses, CLEP or DANTES credits, and military experience are acceptable, too. Ask about work portfolio evaluation to earn credits.
Most importantly, be realistic about college expenses. Start with a budget. Plan for your expenses. You must plan for your online college education as early as your high school years.
Practical Tips for Saving Money on Your Online College Education
Here are more tuition-saving tips to keep in mind. We also provide other cost-effective tips to save more money.
- Take full advantage of free resources, such as textbooks and software. Open Educational Resources, public and digital libraries, and free software are available.
- Buy used and discounted textbooks, if allowed. Rent textbooks or e-books from Amazon, Chegg, or eCampus.
- Leverage your student discounts when buying books, software, and services.
- Choose your courses so that you can graduate earlier. If possible, enroll in summer and winter classes. Better yet, enroll in an accelerated program.
- Consider competency-based programs. You can prove your subject mastery and complete courses faster. Less time spent, less money spent, too.
Again, we cannot overemphasize the crucial importance of financial planning and budgeting. At the very least, you won’t be caught off-guard by a college cost that you should have anticipated but didn’t. When you anticipate costs and set a realistic budget, you’re more likely to stay on track.
Conclusion: Making Smart Choices with Low Student Fees
Low student fees are vital to enjoying affordable education. You can enjoy financial relief and focus more on your studies. When you consider financial aid for fees, it’s even more wonderful.
So, when you’re considering a college education, choose the affordable yet quality option. You must do your research on affordable online colleges and make a smart choice. You will agree that, indeed, you can get the best value for your money.