If you plan early, you can cut your education expenses and save yourself some cash. Here's some habits to practice to save you big bucks.
Strategies for reducing costs before enrolling in college
Plan ahead with high school classes: You can get college credit for the Advanced Placement classes you took in high school or for the community college classes you took while you were still in high school. Tuition costs less if you have to take less classes.
Ask your family and friends for money to help pay for college. Ask for money toward your college savings instead of gift cards. Even better, check to see if your college savings plan has a program for giving gifts directly to the plan.
Consider attending school in-state or take core classes at a community college. They may have a lower price tag. Make sure that the college you want to go to will let you transfer credits.
Shop around for different places to live. Compare living on campus with living off campus and (if possible) living at home. It may sound great to have an apartment, but it could add to your living costs.
Get a part-time job. Every extra dollar you earn is one that you won’t have to borrow for school.
Get a credit card —but use it wisely.When looking for a credit card, get one that gives you cash back and doesn't charge an annual fee. Always pay your monthly bills on time so you don't have to pay late fees and interest. If you use your credit card well, you might be able to save some extra money and build your credit history.
Apply for scholarships: There are loads of scholarhips out there for everyone! Start applying as early as possible. There are scholarships available to those that are as young as 12 years old.
Speak with an advisor: You do not have to figure out how to go about planning or affording college on your own. Speak to the experts to find ways to put more money back into YOUR pocket. We can help you make college affordable.
Always apply for the FAFSA. Even if you don't qualify for financial aid, you may still need to fill out the FAFSA if you want to borrow money from the federal government.
Reminder: Don’t stop thinking about financial aid after you file the FAFSA. This is the perfect time to look for state, college, or private scholarships and grants that could offer additional funds to help you pay for college.
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Create a new budget each month. Pay close attention to your “needs” vs. your “wants”. For example, living at home during your college time as opposed to a dorm or moving into a less expensive apartment, getting roommates, or limiting your "fun money." Lower Your Starbucks bill. I don’t want to cramp your style but it can really add up.
Buy used books or share. Textbooks can come with a hefty price tag. Look around for discount bookstores or buy them used from your campus bookstore. If you share classes with your roommate or friends, offer to share textbooks.
Use your school gym. Use the resources available to you on campus. It's a great way for students to save money and get to know each other at the same time.
Share the housing expenses. Sharing the cost of a rental space can result in cost savings.
Try to eat at the dining hall often. If you are going to have to pay for a meal plan, you might as well make use of it for your daily meals so that you do not have to spend additional money on shopping or eating out.
Try to graduate earlier. You can finish a semester early and save money on housing by taking classes during the summer or adding more classes to your schedule during the school year.
Don’t bring your car to school. Insurance, gas, and parking are all examples of things that cost money. Does your campus have a ridesharing service or is it close to public transportation? Instead, you should try to use those to your advantage.
Find ways to make money. For example, sell your lecture notes.Students who weren't exceptionally attentive during lectures by the conclusion of the semester find themselves in need of lecture notes. By selling your lecture notes to them directly or through a learning platform like Nexus Notes, you have the chance to make some extra cash.
Apply for side jobs. Become a virtual assistant.Remote clients from all around the world engage virtual assistants to assist them with mundane tasks. This entails primarily responding to emails, scheduling flights, and organizing schedules, all of which may be done on your own time.
Apply for the FAFSA. Note that you need to apply for FAFSA every year of attending college. Ensure that you file the form so you can get as much money as you can to keep more of your money.
Take advantage of your student discount. You can get loads of student discounts at a wide range of stores, restaurants, and cultural institutions with this card. You can also get big discounts on tech products from Apple, Adobe, and Microsoft. If you know how to use your coupons well, you can save a lot of money.
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