What To Do if You Decide To Go to College Last Minute

Whether you should go to college is a much bigger decision than some people make it out to be. There are many factors to consider, such as career aspirations and how much debt you’re willing to take on. Not all college-related decisions have to be final, either. It’s never too late to change your mind and get more schooling. If you are unsure of what to do if you decide to go to college last minute, this guide will set you on the right path for achieving your goals.

Make a Game Plan

Even though you might just want to jump in and start doing everything at once, you’re likely to crash and burn without a proper plan. Not only will it ensure that you accomplish everything you need to, but it will help you feel secure and happy with your final decision.

You need to make sure your academic and future career goals align with the college you attend. Even if you go with a local community college, check to see if they offer courses that will help you with your desired bachelor’s degree.

Apply to Schools, if You Haven’t Already

If you were previously interested but hesitant about college, you might have already applied to some schools and even received acceptance letters—that’s great! However, if you haven’t, you should start applying now since this is the main thing you’ll have to do if you decide to go to college last minute. The decision process isn’t nearly as long as many people make it out to be, especially if you apply right before the new semester. By that point, very few other applicants will be applying, and the school will already know how many spots they have left to offer.

Even if you are too late for the upcoming semester, that doesn’t mean the school won’t accept you. They could still like what you have to offer and admit you for the spring semester. In some ways, this is a good thing since it will give you more time to plan and save up some money.

Sign up for Loans and Other Financial Options Immediately

Even if the new school year starts in a week, you can still sign up for FAFSA to get some government assistance with your school bills. Just make sure you hunker down and complete everything as soon as you possibly can. FAFSA has live chat support that you can reach out to for questions, but your school’s financial aid office can help you as well.

While you’re chatting with them, be sure to ask about any last-minute scholarships they might have. Even if they don’t have any available, they might be able to help you find a job on campus that may mitigate expenses or even make you eligible for a discount on tuition.

Find a Place To Live

Unfortunately, you might be a little late to live in the dorms, but apartments are always an option. While you might not be able to follow all the apartment hunting tips that you can find online, you can still follow through with some of them in alternative ways. For example, instead of visiting an apartment in person, take a virtual tour from home. It will save you a lot of travel time, and many renters offer this as a standard option anyway because of the pandemic.

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