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If you’re wondering how you’ll pay for your son’s or daughter’s college education take heart — you are not alone. Granted, the company of others who find themselves in your position may be small comfort, but what it does do is shine a collective spotlight on a big problem: post high school education is a huge financial burden.

Short of expecting some sort of government intervention which may or may not arrive, families of college students have some options to reduce that burden now. Scholarships, grants, and college savings funds come to mind as well as sending your student to the local community college or state university for the most affordable education. However, specialized training may only come at a private school, meaning yearly tuition expenses of $20-50,000 annually.

What your teen’s high school guidance counselor failed to mention is that there are some schools across the country who do not charge tuition. Zip. Zero. Nada. In some cases your student may have to work 10-15 hours per week for the school, but in other cases no work requirement is involved. Yes, you may still have to come up with room and board, but considering that you’ll be saving what amounts to be tens of thousands of dollars in tuition annually, that is chump change in comparison.

So, where can you find these schools? Well, Business Week ran an article in November 2007 pulling together ten such schools. Read that article and then check out the ten schools featured for more information:

West Point Military Academy — considered by some as offering the finest education in the land, your four year degree can be had for no charge in exchange for a five-year paid U.S. Army commitment.

Berea College — a Christian school located in Kentucky offering a wide variety of studies including Language Arts, Math, History, Philosophy, Religion, and Speech Communication.

Cooper Union — situated in New York City’s East Village, a school for students pursuing degrees in architecture, art, engineering, and humanities/social sciences.

College of the Ozarks — a Christian school offering bachelor’s degrees to students in need. Work on a farm in exchange for free tuition.

Deep Springs College — all male, located in the California desert. Offers just 26 students the opportunity to study for free; covers just the first two years of higher learning.

Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering — opened in 2002, Olin graduated its third class this past May. Located 14 miles west of Boston, the school currently enrolls just over 300 students.

The Curtis Institute of Music — considered as one of the leading music conservatories, Curtis is located in the heart of Philadelphia.

U.S. Air Force Academy — same requirements as “West Point” listed above. AFA grads pictured.

U.S. Naval Academy — same requirements as “West Point” listed above.

Webb Institute — located on Long Island, NY, the school offers a free double major in naval architecture and marine engineering to eligible students.

Not mentioned, but also free are the US Coast Guard Academy and the US Merchant Marine Academy.

Of course, you have to be accepted into these schools in order to be eligible and some of the requirements (such as military service) could be show stopper for some students. Still, having citadels of higher learning available that are tuition-free is a welcome option for those suffering from college tuition sticker shock.

Adv. — High tuition got you down? Visit SayStudent for options the help relieve your family’s burden. Vist SayCollegeMove for tips to help your co-ed prepare for college this fall.

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