Paying for college is already expensive to begin with, and the costs of tuition and room and board only continue to climb especially for private universities and out-of-state schools. According to the College Board, the cost of in-state-schools rose 3.1% on average nationwide for the most recent school year. This brought the average cost to just over $20,000 a year.

Covering college costs can seem insurmountable to many students, but there are lots of ways to pay for college including private and federal loans for students and their parents, along with grants, scholarships, and even working a part-time job during school.

As we get closer to the end of the school year, seniors are receiving word from regular admission schools and making final decisions regarding their post-secondary plans. With that in mind, Zephyrus asked five unnamed seniors what their plans are for next year and how they plan to finance their decision:

“I want to go to school in Canada. I’m just waiting to hear back from the schools I applied to there. My mom and dad are both Canadians so I have citizenship and that makes the cost of school extremely cheap and affordable. I also just love Canada and want to experience college from a different country.”

“I haven’t really figured out what I am doing after high school, but I am looking into joining the Minnesota National Guard and then going to school somewhere in the state eventually. The Guard would pay for a lot of my college tuition and what’s left would be pretty affordable…”

“I have to pay for my college entirely…I am planning on going to the [University of Minnesota-Twin Cities] and taking out loans to pay for my school. I am also planning on working two jobs throughout the school year. I’m just hoping that that doesn’t get too overwhelming on top of my school work.”

“I have a college fund that was started by my grandparents and mom and dad when I was little. It has been gradually collecting money over time through investments…I haven’t decided where I am going yet because I am waiting to hear back from a bunch of regular decision schools, but the dream is a [University of California] school.”

“I’m honestly probably going to end up at University of Minnesota Duluth or Twin Cities. My parents are paying for my college all four years and if I decide to go to grad school I’m on my own. We filed for FAFSA and have some financial aid, so yeah I guess that’s how I’m paying for it.”