Admission News

College Students: Summer Job or Summer Classes?

college-financial-aid
Written by CB Experts

Money is always an issue for most college students. When summer rolls around, it can offer time to get a job to save for expenses and to help defray student loans and their costs. But, is it always a good idea to work all summer?

Here are some reasons to work during the summer:
• You make money.
• You might reduce the need to work while at college so you can concentrate on your studies better.
• You learn good works skills.
• You connect with employers who can give you recommendations or job leads for after college.

But, you make this option more viable by doing a few other things:
• Live at home and save rent money.
• Take an internship in your major to make the best future job connections. Also internships, if they are paying, can pay good money, like $20 an hour!
• Check to make sure you are not earning too much money or accumulating too much in savings which can affect your financial aid eligibility.

Here are some reasons to take classes during the summer:
• You can accumulate enough credits to graduate early and save lots of tuition dollars.
• With you degree in hand you can begin to make a real salary earlier.
• Many colleges offer summer classes with grants or scholarships, which means getting basically free credits.

But, this option is more viable when you …
• make sure those summer credits are transferrable to your program of study,
• and you have enough money for college so that you do not have to increase your need for financial aid.

Of course, the best balance is perhaps working and taking classes. If you found an on campus summer work study program, you would have more time to take summer classes and they would be right on the same campus. If you lived at home, you might both intern and work a part-time summer job. Ahhh, that might give you all of the above! At any rate, consider what is best for you this summer, and always consider every option before deciding.

About the author

CB Experts

Content created by retired College Admissions consultants.