Quick
Tips for Reducing Educational Expenses
You must be careful
about how you manage your money while in school.
Try to live below your means. Be
thrifty! The less you spend now, the
more you'll have once you graduate. On
the other hand, if you spend carelessly now, you may have to live like a student
later! Below are some suggestions
on how to live below your means.
- Don't
buy a car unless it's absolutely necessary.
- If
you must buy a car, be practical.
- Buy
all the used textbooks you can from the bookstore or other students and
return your books at the end of the semester for a partial reimbursement.
- Comparison
shop for big-ticket items like computers or stereo equipment.
- Make
purchases carefully; don't buy spontaneously.
- Buy
items that are on sale. Beware of buying "conveniences".
- Dress
for less; shop at secondhand and discount stores.
- Make
full use of your meal plan or bring your lunch.
Try not to eat out too often and, when you do, pick cheap eats.
- Work
out in the school's gym - you've already paid for it!
- Take
advantage of free activities, such as movies, concerts, and other
school-sponsored events.
- Go
to matinees or rent videos.
- Check
out school-sponsored services such as medical care.
- Limit
telephone bills by using e-mail or "snail" mail to correspond with
family and friends.
- Share
expenses with other students, such as commuting and rides home.
If living off campus, having roommates can greatly reduce your living
expenses.
- Work
while you are in school and/or during the summer.
- Consider
taking heavier course loads. Undergraduates
pay the same basic tuition fee for 12-18 credit hours and taking extra
classes may help you graduate earlier.
- Test
out of courses. If you took
college-level (i.e. Advanced Placement) courses in high school, you may
receive credit for those courses. Another
way to obtain credits is to take College-Level Examination Program (i.e.
CLEP) tests.
If
you'd like more information, check out the following web sites:
www.collegeplanning.org
www.mapping-your-future.org
www.nelliemae.com
www.youcandealwithit.com