Whether you’re fresh out of high school or planning on pursuing a new career, it can be a pain to go back to school. The changes to your schedule, the long nights studying, and the stress to perform under pressure are just a few of the challenges you’ll face. For many, finding a way to pay for their education may be the biggest struggle of them all: with tuition rates increasing much faster than the rate of inflation, college becomes more expensive with each passing year.
If you’re planning on a career in criminal justice, you can find out more about a criminal justice degree here . You should also be aware that you have a few options for funding your pursuit you might not know about – we’ll discuss them here so you can be prepared, both mentally and financially.
Peruse Specific Scholarships
Whether you are pursuing a bachelors or masters in criminal justice, paying for the expenses associated with college can be daunting. Arguably, the first place to look for assistance is scholarships, which can help soften the financial burden that you’ll accumulate over the years. With many criminal justice scholarships available to applicants from all backgrounds, you’ll be able to hopefully save anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per year on student expenses. Even if you do not qualify for all scholarships – or even most – there is likely one available that fits your qualifications. Relatively few people apply for scholarships, making it that much easier for you to secure one.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
Careers in criminal justice often cross paths with legal careers. In many areas of the legal system, you can find loan repayment assistance programs. These programs are designed to subsidize a person’s loan payments in the early years until they can get on their feet and are earning more money. Another common example of this style of assistance includes pledging to work for a particular agency for a period of time, in exchange for that agency paying for your college tuition. The public defender’s office is one example of an institution that provides these benefits, making it easier for some to pursue a criminal justice degree online from an institution like the University of Cincinnati.
Seek Out Financial Aid
Most students rely on some form of financial aid in order to attend college. If you’re gearing up to earn an online masters in criminal justice or comparable degree, then taking advantage of financial aid may be your best bet. There are two types of federal financial aid options: subsidized loans and unsubsidized loans. Depending on the amount you’re borrowing and your financial situation, you may qualify for one or both. The interest rate on subsidized loans is lower than on unsubsidized ones, with your FAFSA application determining which you’ll receive.
In order to make the most of your educational experience, you need to be focused. Worrying about finances can take your mind off more important things, so it’s vital that you explore all funding options. Between scholarships, loan repayment assistance programs and financial aid, you should be able to cover all of the bases when it comes to funding your criminal justice education.