It seems that the cost of post-secondary education just continues to rise, regardless of what the economy is doing. When the economy also takes a drop and education costs rise, students are more and more often turning to less conventional ways to find financing. Although each individual should really explore their own options, the following ideas can be a starting point for most students.

1. Company Scholarships – there are a lot of companies out there that offer scholarships to students, typically within specific fields of study. These company scholarships are often not applied for due to lack of advertising and awareness and there are considerable funds available from some businesses. Some of the better known companies offering scholarships include Microsoft, Google, Apple, Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola to name just a very few.

2. Organizational Scholarships – like companies, many organizations offer scholarships to students of all ages entering college. The catch is that you typically have to be a member of the organization to apply for the scholarship. The first place to start is with local associations and organizations in your community. Don't be afraid to ask if they offer scholarships and also don't forget any organizations your family members belong to may also be fair game for you. You may also want to check with a professional organization in the area of study that you choose to see if they offer financial support to people getting into the field.

3. Get Your Boss to Pay – some companies and businesses offer the option of the company paying for some or all of your tuition if you agree to work specific hours for the company and continue on working with them for so long after graduation. This is particularly true in medical fields, technology fields and even in business management. If the company doesn't have a program, you may want to research the benefits for the company and present it to your boss as something you would like to do, with their help of course.

4. Family Members – if you have family members that have extra cash on hand, they may be willing to provide you with no-interest loans to help you get through college. In some cases, family members may even be willing to provide you with a tax free gift that will decrease their taxable income while also helping you get your financial planning in order.

5. Take Online Classes and Work – while this may not be highly unconventional, it isn't a first consideration for many students. Taking online classes can cut down on your living expenses while at college since you can study anywhere right from your own home. It also allows you to work and basically pay as you go for your education. At the end of the course or degree program, you will not have the huge amount of student debt that other's will have.

6. Community Service – different community service organizations such as Teach for American, Americorps and the Peace Corps all offer either tuition assistance or loan forgiveness in exchange for working for the organization. This is the same for the military, which offers much more comprehensive educational programs but also requires a more significant commitment for service.

7. Know Your Scholarship Options – there are a great number of really bizarre scholarships offered on different campuses and through different groups. If you have a talent or an unusual hobby, search on the Internet and find out if there is a scholarship out there for you. For example, there are scholarships for left handed people, skateboarders, tall people and even students that are vegetarians.

This is a guest post by Julie-Ann Amos. Julie-Ann is a freelance writer and covers topics such as online university rankings and reviews, e-learning tools, and more.

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