Note: This is a guest post by Chloe Trogden.
Trogden is a writer and manager for Collegegrant.net where she has recently been researching student guides. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, swimming and playing her guitar.
Going to college can be expensive. The cost of tuition is rising every year, as is
the total debt that students are accumulating. Finding ways to save money while
in college is critical to good financial health when you graduate. Otherwise, you
will spend the first several years of your professional life trying to climb your way
out of debt instead of enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Here are 10 ways you can save money while in college:
Plan Ahead
You can start saving for college when you are in high school. You have four
years to work and set aside money that you can use to offset the cost of tuition
or living expenses. Though you are unlikely to be able to save enough to pay for
your whole college education, you can probably save enough to at least buy your
textbooks.
Go to a State School
Private universities and colleges can cost 5 times as much as state schools –
more in some cases. While tuition at a state school might run you about $8,000
on average, tuition at a private school could be $42,000. Even if costs continue to
rise at state schools, the tuition will still be far less than a private school.
Attend Part-Time
If you have your heart set on attending a prestigious private school, you can cut
costs by attending part-time. Though your overall costs will end up being about
the same (or more after fees), you will free up time to work to either pay your
way through school or to start paying on student loans while you are in school,
reducing the interest costs.
Get Grants
Grants and scholarships are free money that you don’t have to pay back. The
more grants you can get, the less you have to pay out of pocket or borrow. Even
one grant of a few hundred dollars can reduce your expenses. Research all the
opportunities available to you and apply for them.
Buy Used Textbooks
Textbooks can cost you thousands of dollars per semester. Save money by
purchasing them used, either through online retailers or from your classmates.
You may be able to find a place that rents or trades textbooks, possibly saving
you even more.
Live at Home
Room and board is another big expense, whether you live in a dorm or live in
your own apartment. However, if you have obliging parents, living at home will
cost you nothing. You can’t beat those savings!
Eat at Home
Meals are another big expense. If you live in the dorm, make sure you stick to
the campus meal plan instead of eating out or constantly hitting up the vending
machines. If you live in an apartment or home with your parents, make sure you
cook your own meals instead of eating out. The savings will really start to add up.
Work Part-Time
Whatever money you earn while you’re in college can help you offset expenses.
Though you are unlikely to be able to hold down a full-time job, you should be
able to put in 10-20 hours a week. Look for jobs that are in your field, if possible,
to get experience while you work.
Write a Blog
Anyone can make money online through blogging and selling advertising or
affiliate products. Blogging is a great way for college students to make money as
it can be done on any schedule. If you create a blog that gets enough traffic, you
can even start making money when you aren’t working, allowing you to maximize
your profits while minimizing your efforts.
Attend Online
Finally, online courses offer students a lot of flexibility, allowing them to continue
to work full-time if needed while attending classes. If you can work full-time while
in college, chances are that you may even be able to pay all your own tuition and
expenses, reducing any debt when you graduate.
College is expensive, but it doesn’t have to leave you saddled in debt. Follow
these tips for saving money and reducing the total amount you have to borrow.
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