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GEORGIA (WALB) - College is expensive, but one higher education navigator says Georgia families may be leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

One of the biggest ways Georgia families can save is by skipping the dorm and the meal plan, a single choice that expert Henry Felton says can save families nearly $4,000.

Felton is a graduate of Valdosta State and Georgia State Universities, where he gained experience advocating for higher education opportunities, but his nickname “Mr. Debt-Free-Degree,” came from his start at Columbus Technical College.

“I started this at 20, I seen how it could have helped so many of my peers when we were the same age, but we just didn’t understand the information,” Felton said. “A lot of things that parents can do to save a lot more money is really understanding college choice. I know we all understand college choice, but really understand college choice.”

He also said students can get a head start — and save even more — by taking full advantage of Georgia’s dual enrollment program while still in high school.

“Parents and students can save money by going to a two-year [school]. Two-years don’t have a meal plan, and they don’t have on-campus housing, most. When you bridge to a university, that’s where a lot of people get trapped because they stay on campus and get the meal plan,” Felton said.

That is one reason the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) is helping high school seniors save some costs by applying to multiple colleges in March with no application fee.

GSFC is the same organization that awards the HOPE scholarship.

Lance Wallace, GSFC Senior VP of External Affairs, said, “It’s been a linchpin of our organizations mission to make college affordable and accessible to students.”

This is the 9th time the GSFC has promoted application fee waivers since 2022. There is no limit on the number of schools a student may apply to using the application fee waivers.

Over 60 schools across state of Georgia are waving application fees until March 31, which will save families hundreds before stepping on campus.

For a full list of the colleges and universities with March fee waivers, click here.

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