How to Go to College for
FREE By Mark Mikelat, Arizona State
ollege debt sucks! I want you (or your children or grandchildren) to go to college for FREE. Sounds a bit like a scam, right? I promise you that I am the real deal. I am Mark Mikelat, a proud brother of Delta Sigma Pi. I was a collegiate brother when TV remotes were a big deal, when email was cool, and all of the brothers had our own pet dinosaurs at home. I went to college for FREE. I even had a 50% scholarship to graduate school. I am going to give you some real, actionable advice about how to go to college for FREE. Why is this important? College debt is overwhelming and it is not uncommon for students to enter the work world with a $100,000+ debt hanging over their head. I am not even talking about credit card debt or other debts that you might have. Right now, I am focused on helping you eliminate that backbreaking college loan debt. I provide inspirational and motivational programs to colleges in leadership development and career development. I also teach
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college courses. I love the college energy and the students appreciate my courses and motivational programs. It also keeps me current about the challenges facing college students today. Recently I met Angela, a charming, affable, and ambitious student who was graduating with a teaching degree from a very well-respected and prestigious school. She left school with a debt of $116,000. Admittedly, her example is on the extreme side, but unfortunately, it is also not an anomaly. According to government research, 70% of college graduates have at least $25,000 in debt upon graduation. If we look at advanced degrees such as an MBA, or legal or medical degrees, the debt numbers shoot into the stratosphere. I do not want you to have any college loan debt. Angela’s debt is overwhelming and will really have a negative impact on her quality of life. She is pretty much starting her post college life with a mortgage payment, but without a house. With a typical
november 2012/THE DELTASIG OF DELTA SIGMA PI
teaching starting salary of $45,000 along with this debt burden her chances of buying a new car, buying a home, or financing a nice wedding are sadly slim. I am not here to depress you, but rather spur you into action to create a path to FREE college. This success strategy rests on the idea of finding scholarships and grants to fund your college tuition and other costs. A good number of you immediately think of financial aid. NO. That is not what I am talking about. Financial aid might help you get scholarships, but their bigger focus is helping get loans for college. Guess what, if you are awarded a scholarship, you do not need to pay it back. Please, please, please do not confuse this with a loan. Time and time again, I have seen students after students who have failed to appreciate this basic principle. I want you to get FREE MONEY. I want people, organizations and foundations to GIVE you money to go to college. It is about scholarships. Let me