Huskie Guide

Clare Steffes’ Story: Scholarships, Campus Job, Zero Debt

In elementary school, Clare Steffes started a musical march to a debt-free college degree.

“That’s when I picked up the trumpet, and I just continued with it all throughout high school and into college,” Steffes said. “It's crazy to think about the financial value playing an instrument has had on my life. It has saved me thousands of dollars.”

Steffes graduated from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ new criminology program with a job offer — and her college bills paid off. But music was only one part of the debt-free equation.

In addition to a Huskie Marching Band Scholarship, Steffes earned an NIU Merit Scholarship. And after working at first in a desk-attendant job, she landed a position as a residential community advisor (CA).

CAs are student staff members (typically sophomores, juniors or seniors) who live on a floor in the residence halls and serve as role models and mentors to residents in their community on campus. As a part of their compensation package, they receive their room and meal plan at no cost.

“I applied immediately for the CA position my first semester, and ended up with my housing completely paid for, which was such a blessing,” Steffes said. “I genuinely couldn’t have done college without being a CA.”

Beyond her own creativity and resourcefulness, Steffes found a loan-free path to graduation with family support. Her mom offered advice and a cautionary tale on avoiding debt. An older brother had discovered the benefits of being a student worker.

Now her younger sister will add Steffes’ experiences to the family’s collective wisdom.

“I would say to keep a level head, and research what college is best for your needs,” Steffes said. “Also, think about the bigger picture after you graduate — about how you want to be living afterward — and that should dictate your decisions before and during college.”

“I genuinely couldn’t have done college without being a CA (community advisor).”

Clare Steffes, Criminology