The Savvy Student's Guide to a Debt-Free Degree

The less you spend, the less you'll need to borrow. Your tuition is only one piece of the puzzle. Here are the main costs to think about:

Where You Start

Starting at GCC can save you thousands of dollars compared to a university—and that savings doesn't come at the cost of quality! You'll enjoy small class sizes, more support, and instructors who care.

Explore your options at GCC, and you'll see why we say, Start Here - Go Anywhere!

Where You Finish

Planning to transfer? Look at the full cost of your transfer school:

• Tuition, fees, books
• Housing and food
• Transportation

A school that seems cheaper might cost more if it's farther away and you can't live at home.

Some schools offer scholarships—but ask whether they continue after the first year. And make sure you know how much education you'll need for your career. Some careers require more than a bachelor's degree. Plan accordingly.

Where You'll Live

Living with family is often the lowest-cost option. If you'll be renting, think beyond rent:

• Utilities and other expenses, such as Internet, Water, Electricity, Renter's Insurance, etc.
• Transportation expenses such as car payments, gas, car insurance, and vehicle maintenance
• Furniture and moving costs

How You'll Get Around

Owning a car is convenient—but expensive! Consider walking, biking, or public transportation to cut costs.

Whatcha Gonna Eat?

Food is essential and social—but also a great place to save money:

• Pack snacks or lunch when you can
• Make breakfast at home
• Plan dinners in advance

Doing these things most of the time can save you hundreds (even thousands!) over a semester.

Know the Cost of Borrowing

Pop Quiz:

If you need to borrow money for school, what's the better option: a federal student loan or a credit card?

Answer: A federal student loan!

• Lower interest (around 5–8%)
• Flexible repayment options if money gets tight

Credit cards often charge 20% or more in interest—and if you only pay the minimum, interest adds up fast. That's called compound interest, and it can trap you in debt.

Borrowing smart helps you avoid big regrets.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

You don't always have to borrow! Here are better ways to pay for school:

Financial Aid (FAFSA)

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. By completing it, you may qualify for:

• Pell Grants (free money!)
• Federal Work Study (earn money working on campus)
• Student Loans (you'll repay these in the future with interest, so only borrow what you need)

Even if you don't think you'll qualify for Financial Aid, submit your FAFSA every year anyway—it's free! Submitting your FAFSA may open up your eligibility for scholarships in addition to Financial Aid!

GCC offers free FAFSA completion assistance in the Enrollment Center. Book an appointment here!

Scholarships

Many scholarships go unclaimed every year. Check with:

• GCC's scholarship page
• Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Scholarships - with one application you'll be applying for hundreds of scholarships!
• Your academic department
• External Scholarships - scholarships from private donors outside of your college which can include affiliations that you and your family may have such as employers, banks/credit unions, etc.

Start early - Apply often!

Students - you'll find additional scholarship resources in The Savvy Student's Guide to a Debt Free Degree Toolkit!

Working While in School

Working a few hours a week can help you:

• Build job skills
• Make professional contacts
• Graduate with less debt

Look into:

Federal Work-Study Federal Work-Study is a form of Financial Aid. It's money that you get through a paycheck from working on campus. If you have work-study, it can help you get a job on campus. Part-time jobs on campus are more convenient and are often more flexible. If you're interested in Federal Work Study, please reach out to the GCC Financial Aid Office and they can assist you.

Career Services for help finding on campus jobs with work-study as well as off-campus jobs, resumes, and interview help

If you feel you can't work during Fall and Spring semesters, consider a summer job!

How do you know how much you can safely borrow for school? Here's a simple rule that can help you avoid taking on more debt than you can handle.

The Smart Borrowing Guideline:

Don't borrow more than you expect to earn in your first year of full-time work.

Here's how:

1. Look up the entry-level salary (not average or median!) for your intended career. A good resource to help you is mysmartborrowing.org
2. Use the number for the area where you plan to live—local wages are what matter!
3. Use that number as your total borrowing cap across all years of college.That is, keep your student debt under this amount!

Example: If you want to become a dental hygienist in Phoenix, look up “dental hygienist entry-level salary Phoenix” and use that number.

Important! What Education Will You Need?

Find out what degree(s) your career requires:

• Some careers require a master's, law, or medical degree.
• More education means more time and money.
• Plan for this in advance to avoid surprise debt later.

Confirm/Clarify Your Career Objective

Often students feel confident about their career path—until they're almost done. Confirming your career saves Time and Money!.

Not Sure About Your Career Path Yet?

That's okay! But take small steps now to get clarity (or to confirm) your career choice—early confirmation saves time and money!

Here's how:

• Track and log what energizes you. Pay attention to things you enjoy doing or that make time fly. Knowing what types of activities energize you and/or get you into a flow state is a great way to learn about yourself and it will help you to make better decisions about the types of jobs and ultimately, the type of career you want.
• Join a mailing list for a professional association in your field of interest.
• Set up a Career Interview to talk to a Professional who is currently doing that job.
• Do a job shadow to observe an employee at their workplace and see the day-to-day reality.
• Get hands-on experience through volunteering, internships, or part-time jobs.

Career Services can help with any of the above - schedule an appointment today!

Still exploring? GCC Counselors can help!

Even a small student loan can be a big burden if you don't finish your degree.

Many borrowers struggling with debt owe less than $10,000—but never graduated. Without the earning boost from a degree, it's much harder to repay even small loans.

Don't Assume You Haven't Borrowed

Many students don't realize that not all Financial Aid is free—student loans are often included as part of your award package. Schedule an appointment with the GCC Financial Aid Literacy Team here to go over your loan options!

Check your loan balance at studentaid.gov

Budget Before You Borrow

Don't assume the college knows how much money you'll need. They don't!

You can:

• Decline a loan if you don't need it
• Reduce the loan amount to only what you really need

Use our tool: Budget Before You Borrow (Google Doc – make your own copy!) Tip! This tool and more are available to you in the Student Toolkit!

What's Your Dream?

Your education is about you—your goals, your future, your success.

Picture what life could be like after graduation—and what it might look like if you don't finish.

Let that image motivate you to stay on track!

Know What It Takes to Graduate

You need:

• 60 credits for an Associate degree
• 120 credits for a Bachelor's degree

But not all credits count. You'll need to meet three sets of requirements:

1. General Education (writing, math, science, etc.)
2. Program Requirements (courses for your major)
3. Electives (exploring interests—but only a limited number count!)

Meet with your Advisor each semester to stay on track.

Plan a Balanced Course Load

• Don't overload yourself! A heavy schedule can lead to dropped classes or burnout.
• Mix hard and easy classes each term.
• Start early on subjects you fear—like math or science—to avoid delays.
• Use Tutoring Centers and meet with a Counselor or Peer Success Coach if you need help.

Resources Are Here to Help You

Asking for help is a skill—and a strength.

Here are key supports:

• Your Instructors – your first go-to when struggling in class
• Your Advisor – for academic planning and help connecting to services
• Tutoring Centers – for study space and expert help
• Peer Success Coaches – students who've been in your shoes
• GCC Cares coordinates a Food Pantry and help with Basic Needs
• Counseling Services – personal, career, and academic support
• Career Services – help finding a job or internship
• Disability Resource Services – academic accommodations and support
• Veterans Services – benefits and guidance for student veterans

You've got people in your corner!

Use Your Environment to Stay Motivated

Success isn't just about willpower. Use your surroundings to help:

• Put up a goal reminder or vision board
• Work in a productive space (like the library or tutoring center)
• Replace distractions with tools (swap the TV remote for your planner!)

Identity Statements:

Tell yourself:

• "I'm the type of person who finishes what they start."
• "I'm the type of person who seeks help when I need it."
• "I'm the type of person who overcomes challenges."

You are that person. Now let's get you across the finish line—with little or no debt!