It can be hard to pay for food, clothes and recreation on a limited budget, so it may make sense for your child to work while in college. In fact, some financial aid packages are part of the federal work-study program, where students work campus jobs to earn money to pay for college.
If your child is going to work while in school, the first place to look may be the school itself. Working at school can help your child gain valuable experience, particularly if he is able to work in something related to his major. The hours can be quite flexible, and the work schedule may follow the academic calendar. Chances are that the manager would be more flexible with your child’s study and exam schedule than a boss at an off-campus job.
If your child works outside the college, he should make sure to be upfront with his employer about his class and exam schedule, as well as any breaks or trips home.
While waiting tables can pay the bills, it might make sense for your child to look for work in his preferred career area – any experience will help boost his resume once he graduates and give him an advantage over other job candidates. Your college may have a career services department that can assist in the job search. A counselor can help your child prepare an application or resume.
If your child does work while in school, make sure he doesn’t forget that school is still his top priority. He should have a conversation with his employer before beginning work about his goals in college and how many hours he can work. Being able to juggle work and school can make paying for college easier, and it is a quality that can appeal to future employers.
Next step: Paying off student loans.
Step 4: Applying for financial aid and private loans.
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