There are colleges and universities that offer free tuition. That's good news as I consider various options for my 16-year-old son. One of those tuition free colleges is college of the Ozarks. My current favorite: a four-year education plan consisting of two years of a local community college, completed with two years at a traditional college or university.
While tuition free colleges are wonderful, one should keep in mind that there are wide range of scholarships, grants and other awards available nationwide. Even Mercedes-Benz USA has a scholarship program and there are various essay-writing competitions that offer scholarship money.
Meanwhile, the following article about tuition-free programs offers great information.: Pssst! Wanna Go to College for Free? by Alison Damast. Here's a snippet from that article:
Tuition-free colleges -- also known as full-scholarship colleges -- remain one of higher education's best-kept secrets. True to their name, they are institutions that guarantee to cover the entire student-body's tuition. There are only a handful of such schools in the U.S., which is one reason they are often overlooked by students, parents, and high school guidance counselors during the college search, says Sandy Baum, a senior policy analyst at the College Board. "It's not a trend of the future. It's just a certain niche market. These schools have unique situations that allow them to go tuition-free," she said. -- Pssst! Wanna Go to College for Free?
Above part of the story about tuition free colleges was preparted by Sharon Harvey Rosenberg.
One well known tuition free college is the College of the Ozarks. The following is what makes the College of the Ozarks a unique place, reprinted from the website of the college. It's basically the fact that the college is tuition free and students are discouraged from taking student loans.
College of the Ozarks is called Hard Work U for a reason. All full-time students work rather than pay for their tuition.
College of the Ozarks openly discourages debt and doesn’t participate in any government loan programs.
College of the Ozarks is committed to a five-fold mission of encouraging academic, spiritual, cultural, vocational, and patriotic growth in its students.
College of the Ozarks has been named a “Stone-Cold Sober School” by the Princeton Review for ten consecutive years. Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited on and off campus.
College of the Ozarks students experience a truly Christian environment, with opportunities to attend Chapel on campus, join Christian student organizations, and take part in Christian missions.
College of the Ozarks promotes character in young people. The College’s Keeter Center for Character Education sponsors programs and activities which enhance the development of character and good citizenship.
The benefits that come with attending tuition free colleges are not limited to education and free tuition, which of course are great help. They also bring good spiritual experiences. Here is a quote from Seth's blog, who attends the College of the Ozarks.
"First, the college has given me the chance to attend school and not pay for tuition. It would be extremely difficult to pay for tuition at nearly any other institution due to my family’s financial situation. We don’t have the financial means to pay for college, and my dad even has to work construction jobs on the side just to pay bills and get by. The fact that tuition is paid for through work is a great tool for my future. My on campus jobs have taught me several skills that employers look for, giving me a jump start in the work world as well as providing me with a wider variety of work experience.
"The greatest blessing I have received from attending C of O is not financial, but spiritual. I have had so many friends that have helped bring me closer to God through bible studies, late night talks, and just being there when I needed someone."
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