If you are feeling stuck at your job and aren’t motivated to work hard, it’s probably time to have a career change. Your next concern is probably how to pay for college. Thankfully, there are ways you can return to college without taking up overwhelming college loans. Here’s how you can go back to college without straining your finances.
- Enroll in a low-cost or free program
Depending on where you live and the industry you work for, you might qualify for free job training. Different states run a variety of job training programs. Michigan offers special re-training programs for auto workers. Florida provides subsidized programs that assist students who want to become registered nurses. California offers low-cost plans for people who wish to pursue a career in solar panel installation. North Carolina gives free training to workers in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries.
- Employer assistance
Most large employers offer to pay tuition for their employees especially if they are taking a course that relates to their job. If your employer doesn’t offer such a program formerly, it won’t hurt to ask if they can chip in. You will be surprised to see them put in a lot of money into your education.
- Tax breaks
Students might qualify for tax deductions and credits, which can lower their cost of returning to college. The tax break applicable to adults returning to school on part-time basis is known as lifetime learning credit. The credit is calculated as 20 percent of qualified education expenses up to $10,000. Being a credit, it is deducted directly off your tax liability.
- Military benefits
The military has recently introduced the G.I. Bill. The program benefits militants who served for a minimum of 90 days since September 10th 2001. At times the program covers all tuition fees and a housing allowance of up to $1,000. Services members are allowed to attend both private and public institutions under the G.I. Bill.