In response to tuition increases and proposed budget cuts, one student has taken an unconventional approach to paying for college.
Computer information systems junior Tyler Ross is using his new advertising website, pyramidofpixels.com, to help finance his education.
The purpose of the website is to “increase the traffic and sales of both established and new websites,” according to the Pyramid of Pixels website.
Companies can purchase advertising space on the website’s homepage, which has a large advertising area shaped like a pyramid. The amount of space the company’s image or logo takes up on the pyramid is based on the pixels purchased.
“The more pixels you buy, the bigger your image or logo will be,” Ross said.
Ross used the last of his savings to hire a professional to help build the Pyramid of Pixels website. He is currently financing his tuition through a federal grant and partly through his own income.
“Grants and scholarships are not always guaranteed, though,” Ross said.
In lieu of solely relying on the traditional means of financial assistance, Ross will use the profit from his website to cover the cost of his undergraduate degree. He also plans to help his family’s business, a mobile gourmet espresso bar called The Brave Bean, through tough economic times.
Resident undergraduate students at ASU pay a total of $8,128 in tuition and fees for one school year, according to University estimates. This total does not include housing and meal plans for students who live on campus.
Four companies have currently bought advertising space on Ross’s site. He has made more than $500 dollars since the launch of his website on Jan. 31.
Ross said he works part time at his family business. Because the website is still fairly new, it is difficult to determine whether the website has improved business for his family or not.
His future goals include making enough money to pay the entirety of his college payments, helping his family business and selling as much advertising space on his website as possible.
“If you are going to try something new, be creative, unique and different,” Ross said. “You need to stand out.”
Despite the tough competition, some students are able to finance their education through scholarships alone.
Exercise and wellness freshman Tim Riebock was offered admission to all three of Arizona’s in-state universities, but decided to accept a scholarship from ASU.
Riebock said it’s important to make a plan to get the necessary financial aid for school.
Though his scholarship pays for his housing at the Downtown campus, scholarships just don’t cut it anymore for most students, he said.
“Tuition is getting out of hand,” Riebock said.
Criminal justice freshman and out-of-state resident Zachary Marino is attending ASU on a parent loan.
Marino is considering ROTC to help pay for next year’s tuition.
As he is only a freshman, Marino said he has not looked into his financial aid options too much for the time being.
“But if you’re in a financial struggle, I recommend you do something about it,” Marino said.
Reach the reporter at cstarboa@asu.edu
