The Stenotype Institute offers various financial aid programs to qualifying students.

In today’s economy, scores of people are looking for lucrative new job opportunities. And many of them are building new careers by enrolling in court reporting schools. Florida’s Stenotype Institute is among the nation’s most respected court reporting schools, so you might assume you can’t afford it. Well, think again. We offer a variety of financial aid programs, plus a few extra tuition tips.

• Scholarships and grants: The Stenotype Institute offers financial aid to those who qualify. And this can be augmented by scholarships and grants from other sources as well. Simply do an online search, and you’ll see many opportunities pop up. Don’t assume that scholarships and grants are only open to recent high school grads. Search “continuing education scholarships” and you’ll find many resources for parents, retirees and others returning to college or signing up for the first time after raising children, holding other careers, etc.

• Help from the fam: Via 529 accounts, parents, grandparents and spouses can gift family members varying specified amounts of money without gift tax restrictions. According to FinAid.org, the Federal government allows individuals to give financial gifts of up to $13,000 per year per beneficiary to a 529 plan without paying a gift tax. All 50 states plus the District of Columbia have at least one 529 plan and you don’t have to use one of Florida’s plans to pay your tuition.

• Crowd source: Crowd sourcing websites like Chipin.com and crowdrise.com are helping people raise funds for all sorts of projects from starting new businesses to producing independent films to covering a pet’s big vet expense to paying tuition. Sign up, write a compelling argument as to why family, friends, social media contacts and even perfect strangers should help you go to college. Get the word out via email and your Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites and you might be surprised at how quickly small donations can add up.

• Share expenses: If you live alone, consider getting a roommate to help share your rent and utilities while you’re in college. Just be aware that combined incomes often must be reported on financial aid applications and can affect how much money your grant or loan program will offer you.

• Work your way through: The Stenotype Institute offers flexible daytime, nighttime and online study programs for the student who plans to work a job while they’re enrolled in court reporting school. Campuses are conveniently located in Jacksonville and Orlando, serving students from throughout Florida and Southeast Georgia including Tallahassee, Pensacola, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Naples, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Cocoa Beach, Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Ft. Walton Beach and Panama City in Florida, plus Albany, Brunswick and Savannah in Georgia.

If you’re considering enrolling in court reporting school and want to learn more about the Stenotype Institute’s financial aid opportunities, start by completing our online Net Price Calculator or calling 888-557-8366 to talk with an enrollment specialist today.