One of the most daunting questions that plagues high school juniors and seniors is how to pay for a college education. Everyone has a different answer. Some students work toward a solution for years, while others give it little thought until the time to do something about it arrives. College educations typically cost about $10,000 per school year for a public four-year institution. A private four-year university costs about $20,000 per year.

1. Parents – When they can afford it, parents will usually pay for school to help their children succeed in the future. Some take out loans; others have the resources at hand.

2. Work – The responsibility of paying for college often falls on the shoulders of the student. Work study programs or part-time jobs during the school year and full-time work in the summertime helps.

3. Military Service – The US Armed Forces offer programs where the military pays for college in exchange for a set number of years of service. The service may or may not involve combat duty, depending on the world situation.

4. Grants – These monetary allotments are usually given based on financial need. They are doled out by organizations, companies and government entities. Grants do not have to be repaid.

5. Scholarship – Payment for school and related expenses is earned by students with special qualities. Athletes, musicians and academically gifted students receive funding which does not have to be repaid.

6. Government Loan – The federal government has a special program to lend money to qualifying students or their parents. The money borrowed must be repaid under certain agreement terms.

7. Private Loan – Student loans from private institutions are usually lower than regular loan rates. They must be repaid in full with interest. Borrowers can be students or their parents.

8. Savings – Some students have been saving money for college for years. Earnings from babysitting, lemonade stands, cutting grass and weekly allowances add up over the years. Special savings plans, such as Certificates of Deposit or high interest accounts are also used in saving money for college.

9. Employer – Companies who have faith in their young employees will often offer educational incentives. They may pay all or part of their college education with certain requirements attached, such as grade minimums and remaining employed with that company. The knowledge gained in that field of study usually benefits the company and the employee.

10. 529 College Savings Plan – This is a program sponsored by both the federal government and individual states that helps people save money for college for a certain person through tax advantages.