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While college is a good option for many people, it isn’t for everyone — and not going to a four-year college doesn’t mean you can’t have a meaningful career.

More people than ever before have a college degree, but a four-year program isn’t the only way to be successful. Even employers are realizing that there are many skills that can’t be captured in a degree program. In fact, some major tech companies, including Google and Apple, no longer require applicants to have a four-year degree for some of their positions.

There are certain jobs for which you need a college degree, like an electrical engineer, marketing manager, or teacher, but there are plenty of careers out there that don’t require additional degrees.

Keep reading for more on the pros and cons of going to college, alternatives to a college degree, and more.

Reasons Not to Go to College

There are a number of valid reasons to delay college — or put it off entirely. Here are some to consider:

•   You’re not excited about your options. Maybe you didn’t get into the schools you expected to or you’re having second thoughts when you try to imagine yourself attending the schools you did get into. If the thought of college fills you with dread or doubt rather than excitement, taking a year off to reassess your options can be a good strategy.

•   You’re unsure what career you are interested in pursuing. You may want to explore different options by being exposed to college-level courses at a community college, or spend time volunteering, working, or traveling.

•   You’re already working. If you already have a job, you may be wanting to lean into your current job or save money to go to school in a few years.

•   You’re exploring non-degree avenues. There are many high-paying trades that don’t require a degree, but may require on-the-job experience or an apprenticeship.

•   You have a plan for a gap year. Some people like to take a year to travel, work, or otherwise take a break in between high school and college to further explore their identity and what they want to do in the future.

•   You feel you’re going to college only to please your family. If you feel pressured to go to college, it may be a sign that college isn’t the right option for you, at least right now.

•   You have essential family obligations. Some students need to help their families and may not be able to take time off to go to school. These students may consider community college or a part-time degree program. Speaking with your current high school counselor may help you find ways to juggle multiple responsibilities.

•   You want to take time to pursue a talent. From sports to the performing arts to a creative path, some people choose to explore a talent more seriously, focusing time, energy, and resources prior to going to college. This can be a decision you make with the help of your family and any coaches or teachers.

Reasons to Go to College

College can be a great time to grow and learn and, for some, it’s a natural step. Here are some other reasons why college may make sense:

•   You’re excited and realistic about college. You recognize college may have ups and downs, but feel confident that college feels “right” as your next step — not just something your family or teachers expect from you.

•   A college degree will help you achieve your career goals. You’ve done your research and/or talked with alums and people working in your targeted field and feel confident that college makes sense for your career goals.

•   College fits into your overall financial plan. You have a sense of how much college will cost and a plan for how you will pay for it, which might include a combination of financial aid, savings, and federal or private student loans. You also want to make sure you will be able to manage any student loan payments after you graduate.

•   You have a ‘Plan B’ in case you realize that college isn’t the right fit. Sometimes people realize one semester into school that college may not be what they need at that moment in their lives. It can be helpful to talk about what this may be, so that you don’t feel trapped if school doesn’t feel like it’s a good fit.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Recommended: Full-time vs Part-time Student

Alternatives to a College Degree

Just because you aren’t interested in a four-year degree doesn’t mean you need to forgo higher education entirely. Alternative educational models, like trade schools and community colleges, offer many practical certification and two-year associate degree programs that can help you get ahead.

It is important to know that even if you’re not planning to pursue a four-year degree, you still have options when it comes to creating a career that is right for you.


💡 Quick Tip: You’ll make no payments on some private student loans for six months after graduation.

Trade School

Sometimes known as technical or vocational schools, trade schools can prepare you for a specific job, such as a dental hygienist, electrician, cosmetologist, or web developer. These programs are normally much shorter than four years, and certain programs may allow you to finish in only a few months. There are both public and private trade schools.

Trade schools don’t award bachelor’s degrees. Instead, when you graduate from a trade school, you typically receive a diploma or certificate indicating that you are trained and certified to perform a specific job. Some trade school programs do offer associate degrees, which are the same type of degrees offered by many community colleges.

Community College

As mentioned above, community colleges usually offer two-year degrees called associate degrees. These degrees can either stand alone or be a stepping stone to obtaining a bachelor’s degree at a four-year school.

Many community colleges also offer career preparation programs that are designed to help students jump into the workforce without the need for a bachelor’s degree.

Community college could also be a great way to test out college life and see if you want to continue pursuing higher education. They tend to be much less expensive than four-year universities, which means it won’t cost you an arm and a leg before you decide if higher education is right for you.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are paid positions designed to teach the apprentice about a specific job or industry. They can help you learn how to use industry-specific tools and technologies and help you develop your skills over a period of time. This may be in fields as diverse as plumbing to transportation engineering to baking.

Apprenticeships can be a win-win for employers and employees because they allow those starting out to begin working (and earning a paycheck) immediately, and they help employers fill vacant jobs.

Certificate Programs

Similar and sometimes overlapping with trade schools, certificate programs offer specialized training in a specific area. This may include coding, cybersecurity, yoga, fitness, getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL), or other areas where specialized knowledge may be a prerequisite. These certificates may also be helpful in making job seekers eligible for positions with higher starting salaries.

Recommended: Are Coding Bootcamps Worth the Money?

Taking a Gap Year

A gap year is when a student takes a year off between high school and college. Some colleges allow accepted students to defer for a year, holding a place for them in the next year’s incoming class. Some people create a travel itinerary; others may work or volunteer for the year. There are some gap year programs that create opportunities for students, but keep in mind that some programs may be costly.

Starting a Business

If you are already passionate about — and have a lot of knowledge about — a specific field or industry, you might consider skipping college altogether and jumping into that business.

Starting your own business takes a lot of hard work, but it could mean that you get to be your own boss and work in an industry you love. And because you could quickly become an expert on the products or services you provide, you aren’t necessarily at a disadvantage because you lack a degree.

Recommended: 9 High Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree

If You Do Go the College Route

There are plenty of options if you choose not to attend a four-year college. However, there are also options within the world of college, including the type of college you choose, the major you decide to pursue, and how you pay for college.

There’s no denying that college can be expensive. In the 2024-25 school year, the average cost for tuition and fees at an in-state college was $11,610, while the average sticker price for a private college was $43,350. And, these numbers don’t include room and board. This can be a big financial commitment, especially if you are on the fence about pursuing higher education.

That’s why it can be a good idea to begin creating a payment strategy early. A great first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to see how much federal aid — including scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal student loans — you qualify for.

Federal student loans do have limits on how much a student can borrow each year they are enrolled in school. Some students may need additional funds to bridge the gap. In that case, some may consider borrowing a student loan from a private lender to help cover college costs.

In general, it can be a smart idea to tap all your federal loan and grant options before you consider private student loans. That’s because federal loans offer some protections, such as deferment options, that private loans may not. However, private loans can cover up to 100% of the cost of attendance, including money to pay for books, room and board, and personal expenses.


💡 Quick Tip: Parents and sponsors with strong credit and income may find much lower rates on no-fee private parent student loans than federal Parent PLUS Loans. Federal PLUS loans also come with an origination fee.

The Takeaway

College can lead students on a new career path, but depending on your goals and other factors, may not be necessary. Some students may choose to pursue a trade or vocational program instead of a four-year degree, while others may simply want to wait a year or so to earn and save more money to cover the cost of going to college.

If you do decide to go to college, you’ll have to figure out a way to pay for it. Most students rely on a combination of cash savings, scholarships, grants, federal student loans, and private student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

FAQ

Why do some people not like college?

Some people dislike college due to high costs, irrelevant coursework, lack of practical skills, social pressures, and the rigid structure that doesn’t suit everyone’s learning style.

What are some alternatives to college?

Alternatives to college include trade schools, apprenticeships, online courses, bootcamps, and self-directed learning. These options often offer practical skills, lower costs, and more flexible schedules.

What are the pros of not attending college?

Pros of not attending college include saving money, allowing for early career entry, providing hands-on experience, and offering more flexibility for personal or family responsibilities.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. We encourage you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.

Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa, and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. This information is current as of 4/22/2025 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOISL-Q325-009

If you have frozen your credit to protect your sensitive information from fraudsters, you may at some point want to unfreeze it. That will typically be necessary if you are applying for a new credit card or a loan. A credit freeze provides you with an extra layer of security because it prevents anyone (even a legitimate entity) from running a hard inquiry on your report or potentially opening a new line of credit without your permission.

In this guide, you’ll learn all about how to unfreeze credit.

What Does it Mean to Unfreeze Credit?

When you freeze your credit report, you can’t open a new line of credit, whether that’s a credit card, mortgage, auto loan, or something else. At the same time, no one can run a hard inquiry on your credit report — so lenders, landlords, even potential employers can’t access it. While there are limits on who can legally look at your credit report, a credit freeze can provide peace of mind that no one can open an account in your name.

When you unfreeze your credit, it’s like you’re turning back on access to the credit report. Once your credit is unfrozen, you can once again open a new line of credit or apply for a loan, and lenders can run a hard pull on your report.

How a Credit Freeze Works

Also known as a security freeze, a credit freeze restricts access to your credit file. Credit freezes don’t happen automatically. You have to reach out to each of the three credit bureaus — Experian®, Equifax® and TransUnion® — to ask for a credit freeze. Thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, if you request a credit freeze over the phone or online, the credit bureaus are required to freeze your report within 24 hours. If you send the request via mail, they have up to three business days.

Thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, if you request a credit freeze over the phone or online, the credit bureaus are required to freeze your report within 24 hours. If you send the request via mail, they have up to three business days.

When you make a credit freeze request, each bureau will give you a PIN (personal identification number) or password that you need when you decide to lift the freeze.

A credit freeze is often confused with a credit lock, but they’re two separate things. A credit lock is a service you sign up for, and there’s usually a subscription fee. It’s similar to a credit freeze as you block access from most lenders. However, you can freeze or unfreeze it at any time on your phone or computer, and you don’t have to wait for it to go into effect.

A credit freeze is free, and you have to go through the credit bureaus to thaw your credit, and it takes about an hour to go into effect.

Types of Credit Freeze Lifts

At some point you may think about unlocking your credit freeze. When the time comes, there are two main types of credit freeze lifts:

Temporary Lift

A temporary lift will unfreeze your credit report for a designated time period. You can choose how long you’d like your credit to be thawed.

You can thaw your credit freeze temporarily to apply for new credit, take out a loan, or apply to rent an apartment. But once you’re done with that financial task, the freeze restarts.

Permanent Lift

A permanent lift will thaw your credit freeze for an indefinite amount of time. You might want to go this route if you don’t want to go through the steps of freezing and unfreezing your credit and find that the trouble isn’t worth the benefits.

Recommended: How to Read and Understand Your Credit Report

Ways to Unfreeze Credit Using Bureaus

If you are ready to unfreeze your credit, you need to contact each of the credit bureaus. You can do it in one of three ways:

•   Phone: If you request a lift by phone, the credit bureaus are required to thaw your credit within an hour.

•   Online: If you make the request online, your credit freeze will also be lifted within the hour.

•   Mail: You can also request a credit thaw by mail. If you go this route, expect the lift to happen within three business days after receipt of your request.

Recommended: How to Dispute a Credit Report and Win Your Case

When You Should Unfreeze Your Credit

Generally, you need to unfreeze your credit anytime someone needs to review your credit report, like if you’re opening a new line of credit or applying for a loan. Some common scenarios of when you’ll need to unfreeze your credit:

•   Applying for a credit card

•   Applying for a mortgage, personal loan, or car loan

•   Applying for a line of credit

•   Hunting for an apartment

Recommended: Common Credit Report Errors and How to Dispute Them

Credit Freeze vs. Fraud Alert

If you’re at high risk for fraud, suspect you’ve been a victim of a credit card scam, or just want to take extra precautions, you can set up a fraud alert on your credit report. When you have a fraud alert in place, a lender or creditor needs to verify your identity before they can issue you a new line of credit or approve you for a loan.

To place a fraud alert, you only need to reach out to one of the three credit bureaus. By law, that credit bureau must let the other two credit bureaus know you placed a fraud alert. In turn, all three credit bureaus will place a fraud alert on your credit file.

Initial fraud alerts are free, and initial fraud alerts last one year. After one year, you can renew it. Extended fraud alerts last for seven years, but they are for victims of identity theft, and you must submit a police report to qualify.

A credit freeze, on the other hand, blocks any party, including lenders and creditors, from accessing your credit. You need to place a credit freeze separately with each of the three credit bureaus, which lasts indefinitely. They can only be lifted when you make a request.


💡 Quick Tip: On-time payments are key to building your credit score. To ensure that you make your payments in time, consider setting up automatic payments or set a calendar reminder of your due date.

The Takeaway

Unfreezing your credit report is relatively simple, and it’s easy to set up a temporary lift should you decide you want to apply for a new credit card or personal loan. There are a few different ways you can go about thawing your credit as needed, and the credit bureaus have to unfreeze your credit within an hour of you making the request by phone or online.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

Can I unfreeze my credit?

You can unfreeze your credit anytime by going through each of the three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — and requesting a lift on your credit freeze. You can ask for either a permanent or temporary lift. The thaw usually lasts anywhere from one to 30 days if it’s temporary.

Can you freeze your credit automatically?

Credit freezes don’t happen automatically. You will need to contact the three credit bureaus and make a specific request. You can do so online, by telephone, or via snail mail.

How soon can I unfreeze my credit after freezing?

You can unfreeze your credit as frequently as you like and request a credit lift as soon as you freeze it. If you made the request online or over the phone, it can take up to an hour to unfreeze your credit. If you send the request in the mail, it can take up to three business days after receipt of your request.

How long does it take to unfreeze your credit?

It depends on the credit bureau and how you made your request. If you requested your credit to unfreeze or “thaw” over the phone or email, the credit bureaus must lift it within an hour. If you made the request by mail, the credit bureaus must unfreeze your credit within three business days of receipt of your request.

Can I still use my credit card after freezing my credit?

Freezing your credit doesn’t impact your ability to use your credit card. You can freely make purchases on your card, book trips, redeem your cash-back points, and so forth. But if you want to do something that requires a hard pull of your credit — apply for new credit, say, or submit a rental application for an apartment — you’ll need to unfreeze your report first.

Photo credit: iStock/nortonrsx

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOCC-Q325-003

Timeshares may be a fun vacation option for a while, but sometimes people want to end the arrangement. Those time share contracts, however, can seem pretty ironclad.

Whether you want out due to buyer’s remorse, a shift in your financial situation or health, or any other reason, here’s some good news: You’re not necessarily stuck.

If you change your mind soon after the purchase, for instance, you might be able to opt out during the “rescission period.” Those who have had their timeshare for years may also have options, including having the resort take it back or perhaps reselling it.

There are also what are known as “exit” companies that help timeshare owners get released from their agreements (though it’s important to vet those companies before signing an agreement).

If you’re ready to say goodbye to your vacation place, read on to learn steps for legally getting out of a timeshare contract.

5 Steps to Escaping a Timeshare

If you’re thinking about getting out of a timeshare or know you’re ready to make a change, here are five options to consider.

1. Checking the Rescission Period

If your second thoughts occur within several days of your purchase, you may be able to rescind the transaction if you’re still within the “rescission period.” If you are, you should be able to get your money back and go on your merry way.

Keep in mind, however, that the rules vary from one state to the next. Depending on where the timeshare is located, rescission periods can be anywhere from three days (the minimum required by the Federal Trade Commission) to two weeks.

In some cases, the rescission period may kick in as soon as you buy the timeshare. In others, it might start when you receive the public offering statement that includes general information about the timeshare.

For a timeshare on an exotic isle somewhere outside the U.S., you’ll need to find out what the laws are there.

If you’re eligible for rescission, you’ll want to follow the instructions in the documents you received when you purchased your timeshare. Most likely you’ll need to send the resort a letter telling them you want out via rescission for a full refund. It’s a good idea to send this letter using certified or registered mail.

💡 Quick Tip: Typically, checking accounts don’t earn interest. However, some accounts do, and online banks are more likely than brick-and-mortar banks to offer you the best rates.

2. Contacting the Timeshare Resort

If rescission isn’t possible because too much time has passed, another option you may be able to take advantage of is a “deed back” program. Also known as “take-back” and “surrender” programs, these programs allow distressed owners to transfer the deed for their timeshare back to the resort developer or management company, effectively ending their ownership and associated obligations.

To find out if your developer offers this type of program, you may want to contact them directly and ask to speak with someone who handles “deed-backs” or “surrenders.” You can also check online resources like ResponsibleExit.com for information about return programs.

Generally, developers will only go for this if the timeshare is fully paid for, and you’re up to date on your maintenance fees. Some developers that accept returns may require owners to pay annual fees for a year or two while the resort finds another buyer. In some cases, you may have to prove financial or medical hardship in order to qualify for a take-back program.

Even if your resort doesn’t have an official take-back program, you have nothing to lose by asking. Who knows; they might go for it.

Recommended: 39 Passive Income Ideas to Build Wealth in 2025

3. Reselling The Timeshare Yourself

If you’re considering reselling your timeshare, it’s probably best if you don’t go into it with hopes of making a killing. There are typically many people looking to unload their timeshares and demand isn’t generally high, unless your property is in a hot destination. As a result, reselling can often be a losing proposition.

The best approach might be to think of reselling as someone taking the timeshare off your hands and becoming responsible for the fees moving forward, rather than making a profit.

You can list your timeshare on a general resale marketplace site, such as eBay and Craigslist. There are also sites just for timeshares, such as TUG (the website for the Timeshare Users Group) and RedWeek.

💡 Quick Tip: Want a simple way to save more everyday? When you turn on Roundups, all of your debit card purchases are automatically rounded up to the next dollar and deposited into your online savings account.

4. Reselling the Timeshare Through a Broker

If you opt to resell your timeshare, another option is to hire a real estate broker or agent who specializes in reselling timeshares.

If you choose this route, however, you’ll want to pick your broker carefully, cautions the . Some real estate brokers and agents who specialize in reselling timeshares may falsely claim the market in your area is hot and that they’re overwhelmed with buyer requests. They may even tell you that they already have buyers ready to purchase your timeshare, or promise to sell your timeshare within a specific time. It’s wise to be skeptical of all such claims, says the FTC, and also to vet the reseller before agreeing to anything on the phone or in writing.

A good safeguard is to contact the state Attorney General and local consumer protection agencies in the state where the reseller is located, and ask if any complaints are on file. You also can search online for complaints.

You may also want to ask the reselling agency if their agents are licensed to sell real estate where your timeshare is located. If they say they are, you may want to verify it with the state’s Real Estate Commission.

Other questions you may want to ask before hiring a reselling agent:

It’s generally preferable to do business with a reseller that takes its fee (or commission) only after the timeshare is sold. If you must pay a fee in advance, however, it’s wise to ask about refunds, and to get all refund policies and promises in writing.

Recommended: How to Manage Your Money Better

5. Hiring a Timeshare Exit Company

The concept is good. With a timeshare exit company you often get a small army to handle your business. A good one knows the inner workings of the timeshare industry, which could be advantageous to you. One major caveat is that these services generally don’t come cheap — prices vary considerably, but can be upwards of $5,000.^[1]

It’s also important to be aware that there are many bad apples out there. There have been numerous lawsuits against timeshare exit companies that backed out of their payment agreements with customers.

To help ensure that an exit company you’re thinking about hiring is reputable, you may want to check with the Better Business Bureau, and also search online, to see if there have been complaints about the company and (most importantly) how they have handled those complaints.

You can also protect yourself by refusing to make any payments before a contract has been signed by both parties.

Recommended: 5 Reasons to Switch Banks

The Takeaway

Unloading a timeshare property isn’t always easy, but some of your exit options include: backing out during the “rescission period,” reselling it yourself, hiring a broker to resell it for you, and hiring a timeshare exit company to take care of the whole separation process.

It’s important to understand all of your options (and the potential pitfalls of each) in order to choose the best solution for your situation.

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Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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SOBNK-Q225-036

As a parent, learning how to communicate with college students can be a challenge. Adjusting to college is an emotional transition for the whole family, but keep in mind that this is an important phase in a young adult’s life that helps to prepare them for the real world.

To help keep the lines of communication open, it can be a good idea to set up regular calls and do your best to support your child without nagging. If you maintain a strong connection without overdoing it, they might even divulge more of the good times, and you’ll be able to share in the full experience of their new adventure.

Here are some tips for parents on how to stay close with college students, even if they now live many miles away from home.

Tips for Communicating with College Kids

Be Their Ally

It’s tempting to want to make sure your kid is taking care of themselves: Are they eating enough vegetables? Are they making friends? Are they partying too much?

Your parental instincts are inevitable, but you’ll want to avoid nagging. Try to be their ally instead. Of course, it’s important to check in on them and make sure everything’s okay, but you’d be surprised to find that the more freedom you give them to make their own decisions, the more they may share with you.

Recommended: College Freshman Checklist for the Upcoming School Year

Let Them Know They Can Talk to You

Along with being their ally, it’s also important for them to feel comfortable talking to you about more serious things. College is a major transition and many incoming students struggle with the adjustment.

If they are unhappy at their new school, they may be considering the possibility of transferring schools. It can be a good idea to make sure your child knows that they can talk to you about anything. That’s what parents are for, after all.


💡 Quick Tip: Parents and sponsors with strong credit and income may find much lower rates on no-fee private parent student loans than federal parent PLUS loans. Federal PLUS loans also come with an origination fee.

Utilize Technology

Video chat is an incredible tool that wasn’t around back when parents were in college. These days, there are seemingly endless options to connect via video from FaceTime to Zoom to Google Hangouts and more. Video calls can be especially helpful for students who are far away from home.

If your child is not one to call you every day, you could set up a time once a week to catch up.

What to Talk About

Talking to your child will, of course, come naturally. However, it’s always nice to have some topics in your back pocket to refer to.

Academics

While it may be forgotten among all the exciting aspects of college, taking advantage of the incredible educational resources on campus, studying, and getting a solid education are some of the main reasons for attending university.

Without overwhelming your student, remind them that grades could have an impact on their plans after graduation.

Play to Your Strengths

While we’re on the topic of academics, you can also get involved in your child’s studies, if they ask for help. Aside from reminding them to focus, you can help them choose classes for their first semester, reread some Nietzsche or Aristotle along with them, or offer to be a second set of eyes for their papers. When they are choosing their major, you could help them realize what it is they’re passionate about.

Finances and Budgeting

There are some things you may want to periodically bring up with your student that they likely won’t enjoy talking about, which involves money management, including student loans and budgeting. While these might not be on anyone’s list of the best ways to communicate with college students, it’s your duty as the parent to remind them.

It can be a good idea to have an ongoing dialogue about student loans — including both federal student loans and private student loans — and educate them on how not to make their debt even higher.

This is a conversation that can begin in high school when making the decision on which college to attend and what the financial impact will be for them and for you in the years to come.

As for budgeting, know that many young adults make financial mistakes in their early twenties. It’s okay — mistakes allow students to learn and adjust their habits moving forward.

However, if you can teach your student good spending habits, especially if this is their first time with a credit card, they’ll be thankful to you in the long run.

Recommended: How Do Student Loans Work?

Future Plans

You may have a son or daughter who has dreamed of going to med school since they were little, but most students are unsure of what they want to do with their futures or what life after graduation will look like. This might be a common thread throughout their four years in college.

Find ways to make this conversation exciting and optimistic without asking the question they’ve heard a million times: “What do you want to do with your life?” The truth is, they might not know, even upon graduation, and that’s okay.

If they are considering graduate school, it could be useful to discuss what’s involved financially. Will they need additional student loans for grad school? Will you be able to help with any costs?

While these are just some guidelines on how to communicate with college students, ultimately, the best approach for you and your child depends on your relationship and your personality.

It’s recommended for a parent to find a healthy balance between staying involved and being overbearing. You can watch with pride from a healthy distance and still experience this exciting time in your child’s journey through young adulthood.

The Takeaway

The transition to college can be an overwhelming one for both students and their parents. While your student is building their new life at school, you may find it challenging to keep in touch with them. Try setting a time for a weekly catch-up session with your child. Be open and honest with them and make sure they know that they can come to you with any questions, concerns, or issues they may be facing at school.

In addition to providing advice and guidance, you may also be helping your child pay for school. If your financial aid package (which may include grants, work-study, and federal loans) isn’t enough to cover the costs, you might also consider private student loans. If your child hasn’t yet established much credit, you will likely need to be a cosigner. Or, you might consider a private parent student loan.

Just keep in mind that private loans don’t offer government-sponsored protections, like forgiveness or forbearance, that come with federal student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

FAQ

What are some ways I can maintain a relationship with my college-aged child?

To maintain a relationship with your child in college, stay connected through regular check-ins, use technology like video calls and messaging apps, be a supportive listener, encourage their independence, and respect their need for space and new experiences.

How often should you call your child in college?

You can aim to call your college-aged child once or twice a week to stay connected without being overbearing. This allows you to check in and offer support while respecting their newfound independence and busy schedule.

What is the best way to communicate with college students?

The best way to communicate with college students is through a mix of video calls, text messages, and emails. Use their preferred method, be flexible, and keep conversations brief and supportive to respect their busy schedule.

SoFi Private Student Loans
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