Q. I know I'll have to get a part-time job while I'm in school to help with my expenses. I think I'll have to work 20-25 hours a week to make things work financially, but I'm afraid if I work that much, I won't be able to make good grades. Any advice?

A. A general guideline would be to work between 10 and 20 hours per week—unless you really struggle with school. Then you would be wise to save more time for studying. Research shows that most students who have jobs have higher GPAs than those who don't work. Having a job adds some structure to your life and requires you to be more organized and to learn how to balance your time.

If possible, find a job with flexible hours and an understanding boss. On-campus jobs are a great option because there is no travel time, your supervisors will already understand your life as a student, and you will get to know a lot of people on campus. Then set aside time to study and find a place that is conducive to studying. Get up in the morning and keep yourself on track.

Many students do work more than 20 hours a week. But for those who also maintain good grades, there's typically little time for anything besides work and study. I encourage you to work less so that you will have time to develop friendships and participate in some extracurricular activities in college. Those kinds of investments can add greatly to your development and learning, as well as to your overall satisfaction with your experience.

For now plan to work no more than 20 hours per week in your freshman year while you adjust to college and establish your study patterns. You can always add more hours if you can handle them!

Q. My parents are wealthy, but they're not Christians and they're refusing to pay for me to go to a Christian college. I don't think I can qualify for any financial aid because of my dad's income level, but I sure can't pay for it myself. Help! What should I do?

A. Do everything you possibly can to have a good relationship with your parents in the midst of your differences and decision-making. Ask God to help you respond to them and to the situation in a way that is God-honoring and will influence your parents positively. Wouldn't it be amazing if God used you in their lives to bring them to know him as you do?

This is a good time for you to keep your options open. Visit several different campuses if you can and take your parents with you. Perhaps they will be able to see what the Christian college offers and be willing to help you go there. Or perhaps if you were to save quite a bit of money toward that school, your parents might notice how important your preference is to you, and decide to help you. They may, however, continue to refuse to pay. Then you have to be able to make the hard decision about how much you are willing to work for the college of your choice.

Be sure you go through the whole financial aid process at the school you want to attend. Complete the forms just to be sure of the amount of money you could possibly receive. Also, visit the financial aid person at the school and explain your story. Ask about the standards for declaring yourself independent. If you're able to apply for aid on the basis of your personal financial status, you're likely to qualify for more financial aid, which will make school more affordable. I know a student in a similar situation to yours who was able to work for enough money to attend the school she wanted to without the help of her parents. After a few years at that school, her parents have commented on how good the Christian college has been for their daughter and that they are glad she went there.

Be careful not to alienate yourself from your parents in this process. Keep them informed about what you are thinking. Be respectful. If you cannot find a way to pay for the school of your choice without their help, then accept that reality. Find a school they're willing to help with and make the most of it. There are many Christian organizations like Campus Crusade, InterVarsity and Fellowship of Christian Athletes in which you will find opportunities for discipleship, service and leadership even as you are encouraged to deepen your Christian faith. That's a worthwhile goal wherever you attend college.

Q. It looks like I'm going to have to take out a student loan to help pay for college, but I'm really nervous about it. You see, a couple of years ago, my uncle had to file for bankruptcy, and every since then my parents are always talking about how dangerous it is to take on debt and how hard it is to pay back money you owe. I'm scared I'll get out of college and not be able to pay back my loan.

A. There are many families and students who share your concern about going into debt for anything at all. As your uncle learned, debt can quickly get out of control and become very difficult to manage. It's experiences like his that cause some people to steer clear of any kind of debt.

Others see borrowing money as a reasonable and smart thing to do. They see certain kinds of debt, like a mortgage on a home, as an investment. They may be in debt for a while, but in the end, the benefit they receive is worth the risk.

For many people, college is seen as an investment that pays off in a big way. Currently, more than 70 percent of college students borrow money to attend college. They seem to know intuitively what we also know statistically: A college graduate will earn significantly more over the course of their working years than a person who only completes high school. According to one study, the average college graduate earns at least $500,000 more in a lifetime than someone without a college education. That's an awfully good return on an investment.

Taking out a loan to pay for college can be a very wise move. But you are also wise to think ahead to the day when you'll have to start paying back your loans. It's very easy to borrow money. So easy, in fact, that students and parents sometimes forget they'll have to pay that money back eventually. So how can you make sure you don't get caught borrowing more than you can afford? There are some "rules of thumb" for determining how much money you can reasonably borrow and pay back. If you know what career you are heading for, and what a probable starting salary will be, generally speaking you can repay your loans using up to 10 percent of that salary, without too much strain on your budget.

For instance, if you have a total of $18,500 in loans when you finish college, lender formulas show that you'd need to repay $224 each month over 10 years (that estimate includes the interest you'll have to pay on the loans). If you are planning to be a nurse, your starting salary after taxes might be around $27,000 per year. That would be $2,250 each month in salary, 10 percent of which is $225. That would completely cover your monthly payments. The lower your projected income, the less you should borrow.

Even if you don't know exactly what career you'll have after college, you probably know roughly the kind of career you'd like to pursue. You probably know whether you want to be in medicine, education, ministry or some other field. There are all kinds of books that can help you get a picture of the money you can expect in those fields.

However, I do want to caution you about choosing a major based on the money you can make. Choose a career based on your gifts, your interests and the direction you feel God is leading you. No amount of money can replace enjoying your job and knowing you are where God wants you to be.

I would also advise you to underestimate what you think you'll earn. The fact is, some college graduates start out in low-paying jobs that aren't even related to their majors. While you might eventually end up in a higher-paying job, you'd be wise to plan on having a pretty tight budget during your first few years out of college.

The financial aid officers at the colleges and universities you're considering can help you determine what size loan is "reasonable" for you and your family. They are prepared to help you evaluate your earning potential and ensure that you don't take on more debt than you can handle.

As you decide whether or not to take out a student loan, remember to look at what you're getting with a college education—additonal earning power and so much more. You are being faithful in developing your God-given gifts and discovering your ability to benefit his kingdom. And these difficult decisions about how to finance your education provide an opportunity for you to trust God to provide what you need. I am confident that he will.

Q. When I say I'm worried about being able to pay for college, my friends and family try to reassure me by saying, "God will provide." I definitely believe God can, but should I expect him to? After all, it's not exactly a life or death issue. Does God really promise to provide money for my college tuition?

A. Paying for college provides a great opportunity for you to learn to trust God more. That doesn't mean sitting back and waiting for the want ads in the newspaper to be circled in red marker with just the right job. It means inviting God into your decision-making process. It means praying about where he wants you to go to college, and then trusting him to help you get there and be able to stay there.

There are wonderful stories out there about college graduates who made it through college with money they believe God provided just when they needed it—an anonymous check in the mail when tuition was due, or other amazing scenarios! Others are just as convinced God provided for them through their own hard work at a job that opened up just when they needed it. I wonder what your story will be as you trust God and fully participate in the college to which he guides you. I believe it will be worth telling.

Q. I'm involved in a lot of activities, but I don't have one that I'm really good at. Do I still have a chance at getting some scholarships?

A. Yes, you do! First of all, remember that most financial aid is still need-based and is primarily determined by the economic circumstances of your family. There are grants and loans available to you based on your level of need.

Also, many community organizations, like Lions Club, Rotary, Kiwanis and American Legion often award scholarships to students just like you. The key is to apply. Use your senior year in high school to work on applications and submit them early—almost as if that process were a part-time job for you. It may yield more dollars than working at the mall!

Check with your high school guidance counselor for ideas of scholarships for which you could apply. Web sites are another good place to look for possibilities. There are more scholarships available than there are people who apply for them. Based on your service within your church or community, your involvement in activities, or your character—you may already be a winner!

Q. How do I know if a scholarship or contest is legitimate? I've read of some that ask for money to enter and then never respond to your entry. If I'm going to enter, I want to know I at least have a chance!

A. Normally, if you have to pay to apply, avoid that application. Very few scholarships can legitimately ask for a processing fee. Your high school counselors will be able to point you to reliable sources for scholarship information. The Web site www.finaid.org has a link to "scholarship scams," helping you to avoid the very thing that's worrying you.

I'm glad you are wary about where you spend your money. There are enough expenses associated with going to college. We don't want you to be cheated out of your hard-earned dollars.

Q. How do I bring up college tuition with my parents? I know they can't pay it all, but I'm not sure how much I'll need to be responsible for. Any suggestions for starting that conversation?

A. First, fix your parents breakfast in bed. Then clean your room without being asked…I'm kidding, of course, but there is some wisdom in finding a good time for the conversation—when your parents are relaxed, and in a good mood, and you are ready to approach the topic. You definitely need to have the conversation. Be straightforward and honest with your parents. Tell them you're wondering about some things related to going to college and hoping to discuss your questions with them. Tell them that you are willing to work toward your college education, but it would help you to know how much they are able to provide for tuition and your other expenses.

Prepare some data about your potential earnings and what you would be willing to pay for. The more you have thought about the challenge and are ready to pose some options, the more likely your parents will respond well to the conversation.

Whatever your parents are able to offer you in financial support, be grateful. They don't have to help you pay for college, but many parents want to help as much as they possibly can. If you come to the conversation with a positive attitude and prepared to offer money you will have earned, you may be surprise with how much they are willing to contribute!

Judy Moseman is Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students at Bethel College (MN).

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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