--- title: How to Get an Affordable College Education description: Figuring out how to pay for college can be a huge burden for many students; and doing so amid the economic challenges can be even more stressful. One of the best values in higher education is community college. At Joliet Junior College, tuition is one third of the cost of a four-year university and more than $750,000 in scholarships were given to students last year. Here’s what else you can do to get an affordable college education. image: https://blog.jjc.edu/hubfs/scholarship%20application.jpg --- [Joliet Junior College Home Page ![Joliet Junior College Home Page](https://blog.jjc.edu/hubfs/RGB%20JJC%20Wolf%20Outline%202-Color%20Purple%20White.svg)](https://jjc.edu/) - [Apply Now](https://jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions/apply-now) - [My JJC](https://stujjc.sharepoint.com/) - [iCampus](https://icampus.instructure.com/) - [Technology Resources](https://www.jjc.edu/technology-resources) - [Giving](http://www.jjc.edu/giving) Open Search ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=224127874799132&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=224127874799132&ev=PageView%20&noscript=1) - [Getting Started](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started) - [Admissions](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions) - [Admitted Students](https://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/admitted-students) - [Pay for College](https://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/pay-college) - [Register for Courses](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/register-courses) - [Schedule a Visit](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/schedule-visit) - [Academics](http://www.jjc.edu/academic-areas-study) - [Academic Interests](http://jjc.edu/academics) - [Crawford Honors College](https://jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions/honors-college) - [Credit for Prior Learning](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/transfer-information/prior-learning) - [English as Second Language | ESL](https://jjc.edu/community/department-adult-education-literacy/english-second-language-and-citizenship) - [High School Diploma | GED](https://jjc.edu/community/department-adult-education-literacy/illinois-high-school-diplomaged-and-basic-skill) - [Search for Classes](https://selfservice.jjc.edu/Student/Courses) - [Online Learning](https://www.jjc.edu/online-learning) - [Student Resources](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources) - [Bookstore](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/bookstore) - [Career Services](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/career-services) - [Disability Services](https://jjc.edu/disability-services) - [Mental Health & Wellness](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/mental-health-wellness) - [Library](https://library.jjc.edu/home) - [Multicultural Student Services](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/center-multicultural-access-success) - [Registrar](https://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/registrars-office) - [Student Advising](https://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/student-advising-center) - [Testing Services](https://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/testing-services) - [Transfer Resources](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/transfer-information) - [Tutoring & Learning Center](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/tutoring-learning-center) - [Veterans Resources](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/veterans-resource-center) - [Campus Life](http://www.jjc.edu/campus-life) - [Athletics](http://jjcwolves.com/) - [Cafe/Food Services](http://www.jjc.edu/campus-life/food-services) - [Child Care Services](https://jjc.edu/campus-life/child-care-services) - [Student Activities](http://www.jjc.edu/campus-life/student-activities) - [Student Rights](https://www.jjc.edu/campus-life/office-student-rights-responsibilities) - [Sustainability](https://jjc.edu/campus-life/sustainability) - [Community](http://www.jjc.edu/community) - [Adult Education](https://jjc.edu/community/workforce-education-adult-ed-literacy) - [Continuing Education](https://www.jjc.edu/community/continuing-education) - [Facility Rentals](http://www.jjc.edu/community/facility-rentals) - [Small Business Services](https://jjc.edu/jjc-entrepreneur-business-center-getting-started) - [Vendors](http://www.jjc.edu/community/vendors) - [Workforce Development](http://www.jjc.edu/community/workforce-development) - [About JJC](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc) - [College Leadership](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/leadership) - [Inclusive Excellence & Advocacy](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/office-inclusive-excellence-and-advocacy) - [Employment](https://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/college-leadership/administration/human-resources/jobs-careers) - [Freedom of Information](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/freedom-information-act) - [History](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/history) - [Institutional Effectiveness](http://jjc.edu/about-jjc/institutional-research-effectiveness) - [Locations](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/campus-locations) - [Places of Interest](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/places-interest) - [Police & Safety](https://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/college-leadership/administration/finance-administrative-services/police-and-safety) - [Strategic Plan](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/strategic-plan) Search Together we can find what you're looking for: Enter your search term: Search Close Search - [Getting Started](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started) - [Admissions](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions) - [Admitted Students](https://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/admitted-students) - [Pay for College](https://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/pay-college) - [Register for Courses](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/register-courses) - [Schedule a Visit](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/schedule-visit) - [Academics](http://www.jjc.edu/academic-areas-study) - [Academic Interests](http://jjc.edu/academics) - [Crawford Honors College](https://jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions/honors-college) - [Credit for Prior Learning](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/transfer-information/prior-learning) - [English as Second Language | ESL](https://jjc.edu/community/department-adult-education-literacy/english-second-language-and-citizenship) - [High School Diploma | GED](https://jjc.edu/community/department-adult-education-literacy/illinois-high-school-diplomaged-and-basic-skill) - [Search for Classes](https://selfservice.jjc.edu/Student/Courses) - [Online Learning](https://www.jjc.edu/online-learning) - [Student Resources](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources) - [Bookstore](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/bookstore) - [Career Services](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/career-services) - [Disability Services](https://jjc.edu/disability-services) - [Mental Health & Wellness](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/mental-health-wellness) - [Library](https://library.jjc.edu/home) - [Multicultural Student Services](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/center-multicultural-access-success) - [Registrar](https://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/registrars-office) - [Student Advising](https://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/student-advising-center) - [Testing Services](https://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/testing-services) - [Transfer Resources](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/transfer-information) - [Tutoring & Learning Center](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/tutoring-learning-center) - [Veterans Resources](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/veterans-resource-center) - [Campus Life](http://www.jjc.edu/campus-life) - [Athletics](http://jjcwolves.com/) - [Cafe/Food Services](http://www.jjc.edu/campus-life/food-services) - [Child Care Services](https://jjc.edu/campus-life/child-care-services) - [Student Activities](http://www.jjc.edu/campus-life/student-activities) - [Student Rights](https://www.jjc.edu/campus-life/office-student-rights-responsibilities) - [Sustainability](https://jjc.edu/campus-life/sustainability) - [Community](http://www.jjc.edu/community) - [Adult Education](https://jjc.edu/community/workforce-education-adult-ed-literacy) - [Continuing Education](https://www.jjc.edu/community/continuing-education) - [Facility Rentals](http://www.jjc.edu/community/facility-rentals) - [Small Business Services](https://jjc.edu/jjc-entrepreneur-business-center-getting-started) - [Vendors](http://www.jjc.edu/community/vendors) - [Workforce Development](http://www.jjc.edu/community/workforce-development) - [About JJC](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc) - [College Leadership](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/leadership) - [Inclusive Excellence & Advocacy](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/office-inclusive-excellence-and-advocacy) - [Employment](https://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/college-leadership/administration/human-resources/jobs-careers) - [Freedom of Information](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/freedom-information-act) - [History](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/history) - [Institutional Effectiveness](http://jjc.edu/about-jjc/institutional-research-effectiveness) - [Locations](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/campus-locations) - [Places of Interest](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/places-interest) - [Police & Safety](https://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/college-leadership/administration/finance-administrative-services/police-and-safety) - [Strategic Plan](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/strategic-plan) - [Apply Now](https://jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions/apply-now) - [My JJC](https://stujjc.sharepoint.com/) - [iCampus](https://icampus.instructure.com/) - [Technology Resources](https://www.jjc.edu/technology-resources) - [Giving](http://www.jjc.edu/giving) Open Search # JJC Blog Learn more about student life and what you can accomplish at Joliet Junior College in our blog. # How to Get an Affordable College Education Posted by [Katie Newberry](https://blog.jjc.edu/author/katie-newberry) on Nov 9, 2020 8:05:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Financial Aid help](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Financial%20Aid%20help.png?width=576&name=Financial%20Aid%20help.png) Figuring out how to pay for college can be a huge burden for many students; and doing so amid the economic challenges resulting from the pandemic can be even more stressful.   One of the best values in higher education is community college. Whether you take classes exclusively at a community college or start at a two-year school before transferring, it's an affordable path to achieving your academic and career goals. Community college offers lower tuition rates than four-year colleges and universities, plus more suitable for commuting to and from home to avoid room and board expenses. According to the Princeton Review, tuition savings alone by comparison are in the thousands, and nearly a third of community college students receive financial aid.   At Joliet Junior College, tuition is one third of the cost of a four-year university and more than $750,000 in scholarships were given to students last year. Here’s what else you can do to get an affordable college education.     **Apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ** ![FAFSA](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/FAFSA.jpg?width=394&name=FAFSA.jpg) The [U.S. Department of Education](https://studentaid.gov/) offers grants, loans and other assistance to students that have the financial need. Grants are like scholarships, money that typically doesn’t have to be repaid, while loans will eventually have to be paid back after you complete your schooling.   “Grants can come from the federal government, your state government, your college or career school, or a private or nonprofit organization,” says the [FAFSA website](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants).   You can even be granted work-study which qualifies you for part-time work on your school’s campus.   The FAFSA application opens every October for the following academic year.  If you are a JJC student, you can find out more about financial aid resources by contacting the Financial Aid Office at 815-280-2528 or [finaid@jjc.edu](mailto:finaid@jjc.edu).   [View our playlist of financial aid help videos.](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr_r1oVmjThKvAY6n53JoLELHRbV9OjzR)    **Apply for Scholarships ** ![scholarship application](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/scholarship%20application.jpg?width=400&name=scholarship%20application.jpg) Scholarships are like free money! They can come from outside donors or your school. Many four-year universities give out scholarships for having good grades in high school or getting a good ACT/SAT score. Athletics are another way to earn scholarships at four-year schools. If you’ve been playing a sport for a while, there’s a good chance that you could join the team and receive scholarship money to play.   At JJC, the Foundation gives out scholarships to students who meet the qualifications. Last year, it awarded over $750,000 in scholarships. Students need to fill out [an application](https://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/pay-college/scholarships) to be considered. The deadline to apply for fall 2021 scholarships is May 1.   There are also many outside scholarships available. There is a list of outside scholarships at the [bottom of our website](https://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/pay-college/scholarships). You can also find scholarships through websites like [Scholarships.com](https://www.scholarships.com/) or [Fastweb.com](https://www.fastweb.com/).    **Other Financial Support** JJC also offers other types of financial support for students. Sometimes unexpected emergencies happen. We offer assistance through the Student Emergency Fund as a way to help those students in need of tuition, food, travel and technology. If having access to a computer is a barrier for you, JJC has a free loaner laptop program to help you succeed. [Contact the Student Advising Center](https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jjc.edu%2Fstudent-resources%2Fstudent-advising-center&data=02%7C01%7Cssottosa%40jjc.edu%7C90a7be993819479fcf4408d833c9c9e7%7C581e94de7e2f4d699d5f791d2fb8f31a%7C0%7C0%7C637316289057708896&sdata=BX8yIgS8DD60Anw7sV4ZhVrXvo767D21LSONGzG8hrQ%3D&reserved=0) for more information   **Related Posts** [Financial Aid Facts & Stats](https://blog.jjc.edu/financial-aid-facts-stats) **Get started taking spring classes! Apply today! [![Apply to Joliet Junior College](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/487869/57adecfd-5c15-42ff-b7a4-ee1e0fd0667b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/487869/57adecfd-5c15-42ff-b7a4-ee1e0fd0667b)** Tags: [Money Saving Tips](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/money-saving-tips), [Financial Aid](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/financial-aid), [FAFSA](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/fafsa) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Just for Fun (67)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/just-for-fun) - [Tips & Tricks (67)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/tips-tricks) - [About JJC (65)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/about-jjc) - [For New Students (52)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/for-new-students) - [Community (32)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/community) - [Careers (26)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/careers) - [JJC Experts (18)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/jjc-experts) - [Student Services (18)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/student-services) - [Holidays (17)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/holidays) - [Summer (16)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/summer) - [In-Demand Jobs (14)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/in-demand-jobs) - [Online Learning (14)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/online-learning) - [Money Saving Tips (13)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/money-saving-tips) - [COVID-19 (8)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/covid-19) - [Majors (7)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/majors) - [Study Abroad (7)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/study-abroad) - [Student Voices (6)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/student-voices) - [Financial Aid (5)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/financial-aid) - [Healthcare (5)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/healthcare) - [Culinary (4)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/culinary) - [FAFSA (4)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/fafsa) - [History (4)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/history) - [MakerLab (3)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/makerlab) - [Mental Health (3)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/mental-health) - [Recipes (3)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/recipes) - [Safety Tips (3)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/safety-tips) - [#BelongAtJJC (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/belongatjjc) - [Art (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/art) - [Automotive (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/automotive) - [Continuing Education (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/continuing-education) - [Corporate and Community Services (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/corporate-and-community-services) - [Radiologic Technology (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/radiologic-technology) - [Romeoville Campus (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/romeoville-campus) - [Scholarships (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/scholarships) - [Theatre (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/theatre) - [Transfer (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/transfer) - [Virtual Tours (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/virtual-tours) - [Wiley's Pack (2)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/wileys-pack) - [#JJCHeroes2020 (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/jjcheroes2020) - [Adult Education (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/adult-education) - [Application (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/application) - [Athletics (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/athletics) - [Bookstore (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/bookstore) - [CDL (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/cdl) - [Cleared4 (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/cleared4) - [Disability Services (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/disability-services) - [EEAS (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/eeas) - [English as a Second Language (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/english-as-a-second-language) - [Fine Arts (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/fine-arts) - [High School Equivalency (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/high-school-equivalency) - [JJC Alumni (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/jjc-alumni) - [Job Fair (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/job-fair) - [Music (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/music) - [Respiratory Therapy (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/respiratory-therapy) - [Resume (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/resume) - [Social Media (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/social-media) - [Student Ambassadors (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/student-ambassadors) - [Supply Chain Management (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/supply-chain-management) - [Virtual (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/virtual) - [graduation (1)](https://blog.jjc.edu/topic/graduation) see all [![Joliet Junior College](https://blog.jjc.edu/hubfs/Logos/RGB%20Wolf%20Outline%202-Color%20Purple%20White.png)](https://jjc.edu/) 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet IL, 60431 [815.729.9020](tel:815.729.9020) - [Visit us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JolietJuniorCollege) - [Visit us on Instagram](https://instagram.com/jolietjrcollege/) - [Visit us on X](https://twitter.com/JolietJrCollege) - [Visit us on TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@jolietjrcollege?) - [Visit us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/JolietJrCollege) - [Visit us on Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/jolietjuniorcollege/sets/) - [Contact Us](https://www.jjc.edu/contact-us) - [Academic Calendar](http://www.jjc.edu/academic-calendar) - [JJC News & Events](https://jjc.edu/news-events) - [College Catalog](http://catalog.jjc.edu/) - [Bookstore](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/bookstore) - [Employment](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/college-leadership/administration/human-resources/jobs-careers) - [Privacy Statement](https://jjc.edu/jjc-privacy-statement) - [Accessibility](https://jjc.edu/accessibility) - [Directory](https://jjc.edu/directory) - [Right To Know](https://jjc.edu/right-know-information) - [Title IX](http://www.jjc.edu/title-ix) © 2024 Joliet Junior College All Rights Reserved location time logo-full alert arrow calendar check close cta-chat cta-pencil cta-pin facebook flickr google-plus home instagram logo-shield menu minus number-one pinterest play plus plus2 search stat-1 stat-2 stat-3 twitter vine youtube tiktok