I did this. Took a six month course in welding and got a job. Went nights for four years for a two year degree and transferred to a four-year degree. Got a job with my two year degree and kept going nights to finish a four-year and then a Masters. Funny thing was I never even thought of getting a loan and going full-time. This was during the 80’s and maybe it wasn’t as common then.
Just think of the tens of thousands of dollars you ‘made’! “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
Made me smile, reading your post. If only more people would figure this out instead of going like lambs to the slaughter.
Same thing when it comes to getting ones house. Save up money and buy land, outright. Save up and put in well, electric, etc. Take courses in building, electric, etc and do much of the labor in building the house. And even if a mortgage has to be taken out for the house, with the land etc., already paid for and a great chunk saved on labor, the mortgage should be small enough to do double payments on the principal each month, shortening the mortgage years at least by half.
With no college loans and then no mortgage payment by middle age, there's a BIG RAISE...and retire with no mortgage: real security.
There are ways to avoid the slavery of college loans and mortgages, putting that money in your own pocket. And children should be taught this early on.