Thread by @roncaruthers

1. Some advice for seniors that are heading off to college in the fall.

For @cpowerfitness and his seniors.

First, if youre going to college, know WHY you're going.

If you're not sure, spend the summer doing an internship or two to see what you do or don't enjou.

https://twitter.com/cpowerfitness/status/1397361992441139212

2. This will save you time once you get there because you won't spend as much time switching majors.

AND...once you find something you enjoy, stay interning during college because

A) At some point they'll pay you, which cuts down your student loans and...

3. B) often you'll start at a much higher salary AND not have to interview too much because you'll have experience.

THIS is a game changer.

Next up: check your FAFSA.

4. I review FAFSA's for families all the time.

80% of them (!!!) have 1 or more critical errors that raise what the college feels a family can afford, so be sure to have them all check their paperwork.

The biggest mistakes come from people listing assets they're not supposed to

5. People list their IRAs, 401ks and home equity, and NONE of that counts for the FAFSA.

If you didn't file, then file now, even if you don't think you're eligible.

You might be surprised.

Also, when you get to college, check with your department to see if THEY have any money

6. Once you've settled in, attend class, participate, AND go visit with your professors during office hours.

This will let you ask them of they need a teaching or research assistant for the following semester.

This is a PAID position and gets you killer references if you help.

7. Also, you can save a ton of money by being an RA, or resident advisor.

Often its partial or full room and board.

8. Next: attend every lecture with a guest speaker, ESPECIALLY anybody in your field.

And introduce yourself afterwards.

One of my students is currently worth $20 million before 35 because he introduced himself after a lecture and it led to a job and stock options.

9. Once you have your schedule down, don't be afraid to work.

Being a server or bartender will teach you more about life and human nature than any psych course you'll ever take.

Plus, if you work at a higher end place, you'll make endless connections.

10. Now, on to those loans:

Definitely take the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford loans.

If you take the most they'll give you, you'll leave owing about 30k...which won't be too terrible...at least, it won't if your major leads to a career.

If you took interpretive dance,

11. I'm not so sure thats going to work out.

If you need more money than that, then you'll just want to search online for Private Student Loans.

You WILL need a co-signer, but your parents or grandparents can help with that.

Just make sure what you're studying is worth it.

12. Being a doctor, nurse, or engineer is going to be fine, even if you take a ton of loans to get there.

Having an advanced Gender Studies degree.... not so much in the real world.

But, definitely using the other tips should keep your borrowing to a minimum.

Hope this helps.

5b. Forgot to add that tons of parents list this stuff by mistake, never catch it, and then don't get money and think its the system.