Generation Z is made up of those born between 1997 and 2012. They are the digital kids that have been raised with a device in their hand and a screen in their face, however, don’t discount this generation as an over obsessed bunch of tech addicts. Generation Z is proving to be a generation that gets the value of education. As the first group of GenZ students enters college we are learning what is important to this tech-savvy bunch.

Be Prepared

According to a study by Barnes and Noble, 82% of Gen Z students plan on attending college straight out of high school. Generation Z is well aware of admission requirements and they are beginning to prepare well in advance. In addition to challenging coursework in high school, students are preparing for college by using qualified tutoring services, such as the Bobby-Tariq Tutoring Center, where they can study and prepare to ace the SAT and SHSAT as well as the Regent and State exams. Armed with a high SAT score these college-bound students have more college options and the ability to score a substantial scholarship, which brings us to our next point.

No Debt Please

In addition to their belief that a college education is crucial to success, they also believe that they can earn their degree without the burden of student debt. Most Generation Z students who need to pay college fees choose to do so by working through school rather than using student loans. Not only does this free them of the heavyweight that decade long payment plans can bring, but it also gets them into the workforce faster where they gather real-world knowledge and experience.

Stash The Cash

The jobs Gen Zers use to pay for college are likely not their first jobs. This generation is known for working hard and saving their money, and they are more frugal than their Gen X predecessors. More than half of those students entering college already have seasoned bank accounts and are no strangers to earning and saving their cash. Many attribute the financial crisis of the early 2000s as the reason this generation is frugal and debt-conscious.

Whether they use their savings to fund their collegiate journey or they use a well-earned scholarship, we have high hopes that Gen Z will enter the real world with a degree in their back pocket, on-the-job experience and zero debt to their name.