Estimated Monthly Savings: Â $250
College is expensive. There’s no doubt about it. There’s tuition, books, room and board, fees, and other expenses that add up and put a heavy dent in the pocket. Whether you’re a college student or a parent of a college student, you can find ways that will save you money. Here are some ideas.
- Financial Aid–Financial Aid is the first step. Check with your college for financial aid deadlines and plan accordingly. There are many types of financial aid available for students. Scholarships are offered several times throughout the year. You may qualify for a variety of scholarships for various reasons and for different award amounts. Do a search online and find one you can qualify for. SallieMae.com is a great place to start.
- Discounted Books–There are several websites where you can find your textbooks at a discounted price. Not all sites will have your textbooks, so you’ll need to do a thorough search. Another way to save money is renting the textbooks. Some colleges have that option but if not, there are websites that offer the same service. Be sure to shop around and compare prices before you buy or rent.
- Budget–The best way to save money is telling your money where to go by using a budget. You can find budget forms online for college students if you’ve never budgeted before.
- Be Frugal–Many college students understand that money is tight, but it’s also important to understand that you need to be frugal with your spending. There are numerous ways to do that. Make lists, find coupons, stick to your list, and shop around will help you. Sign up online and get freebies or samples of items. Use your student ID for getting discounts at various places. Also, take a look at your receipts and be sure you weren’t charged more than you expected. Sometimes there are innocent errors that are easily fixed and save you money.
College is a great time of life, is extremely costly as well. Use these tips that will help you save as much money as you can while you pursue your degree.
