6 Ways to Help Offset College Costs After Financial Aid 

You got your financial aid package. Now what? 

For many students, financial aid is a huge help, but it may not cover everything. After scholarships, grants, loans, and other aid are applied, you may still be looking at a remaining balance or trying to figure out how to cover books, housing, transportation, food, or everyday expenses. 

That is where a few other options can help. 

At GBC, students can earn money, reduce costs, build experience, and make their college investment more manageable in several ways. Some options may help with your bill directly. Others can help offset the costs of being a student. 

Here are six places to start. 

1. Explore Federal Work-Study 

Federal Work-Study is a need-based financial aid program that gives eligible students the chance to work part-time and earn money while enrolled. 

At GBC, work-study positions may be available in different offices or departments across campus. These jobs can help you earn money for educational and personal expenses while also gaining real workplace experience. 

One thing to know: being eligible for Federal Work-Study does not automatically place you in a job. You still need to search for open positions, apply, and be hired. 

If you are interested, start by checking with the Financial Aid Office to see if you are eligible. Then look for available opportunities through Handshake. 

2. Look for Student Worker or Student Intern Positions 

Not all campus jobs are Federal Work-Study jobs. 

Some departments hire student workers using their own office or departmental funds. That means you can still apply for certain on-campus positions even if you are not eligible for Federal Work-Study. 

At GBC, you may also see student intern positions. These roles are often similar to student worker positions, but they may come with a higher level of responsibility and, in some cases, higher pay. A student intern role might involve more project-based work, specialized skills, or responsibilities connected to your major or career goals. 

Student worker and student intern positions can be a great way to earn money, get to know faculty and staff, and build experience you can use later. You might help with events, support an office, assist a department, contribute to a campus project, or work with a team that helps keep GBC moving. 

These roles can also make the campus feel smaller in the best way. You get to know people. People get to know you. And that can open the door to future opportunities. 

3. Ask About Graduate Assistant Opportunities 

If you are a graduate student, graduate assistant opportunities may be worth exploring. 

Think of these as the graduate-level version of student worker positions. At GBC, graduate assistants are not typically paid an hourly wage. Instead, these positions help cover tuition while giving graduate students professional experience on campus. 

Graduate assistants may support a department, office, academic area, athletic program, or student-facing service. The exact responsibilities can vary by role. Some positions may involve administrative support. Others may include project work, student support, research-related tasks, event help, or department-specific responsibilities. 

Because graduate assistant opportunities depend on department needs, funding, and availability, they may not look the same from semester to semester. Check Handshake, watch for campus announcements, and ask the departments you are interested in if they expect to have openings. 

4. Consider Resident Assistant Roles 

For students who live on campus, becoming a Resident Assistant can be another way to offset costs while taking on a meaningful leadership role. 

RAs help support the residential community. They answer questions, build connections, share information, and help students feel more at home in their communities. At GBC, Resident Assistants typically receive housing coverage rather than a traditional hourly wage. 

It is a role that takes responsibility, patience, and care, but it can also be a great way to grow as a leader and become more connected to campus life. 

If you are interested in becoming an RA, watch for updates from Residence Life and ask about application timelines, expectations, and housing-related benefits. 

5. Ask About Employer Tuition Assistance 

If you are working while attending GBC, your employer may offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement. 

Some companies help employees pay for college courses, especially when a degree connects to the employee’s current role or future career path. Every employer handles this differently. Some may pay part of the cost upfront. Others may reimburse you after you complete a course. Some may require a certain grade, employment status, or approval before the semester begins. 

It is worth asking, even if you are not sure your employer offers it. 

Start with your supervisor or Human Resources department and ask a simple question: “Does our organization offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement for employees?” 

If the answer is yes, make sure you understand the process, deadlines, required paperwork, and whether your courses or program qualify before you register or pay. 

6. Look for Other Positions Through Handshake 

Handshake is one of the best places to look for job and internship opportunities connected to GBC. 

You can use Handshake to search for on-campus jobs, including GBC student worker, student intern, work-study, and graduate assistant positions. You can also find opportunities with outside employers and organizations, including part-time jobs, internships, career fairs, employer events, and full-time roles as you get closer to graduation. 

As you search, think about what kind of opportunity would help you most right now. 

• Do you need a job with steady hours? 
• Are you hoping to gain experience in your field? 
• Would a paid internship help you build your resume and offset costs? 
• Are you looking for something close to campus, remote, or connected to your major? 

A few small steps can make Handshake more useful: complete your profile, upload your resume, add your career interests, and check back often. 

The more active your profile is, the easier it is to find opportunities that match what you are looking for. 

Need Help Figuring Out Where to Start? 

You do not have to figure it out alone. 

The Financial Aid Office can help with questions about aid, eligibility, FAFSA, Federal Work-Study, and your student account. Career Services can help with Handshake, resumes, jobs, internships, and career planning. Residence Life can help with questions about RA opportunities. 

GBC is small, and that matters. The people who work here are here to support you, answer questions, and help you find a path forward.