College The Smart Way

College is getting more expensive. Everyday we hear of another school raising its tuition fees and at the same time, these schools are scaling back their course offerings and downsizing teaching positions. All of these factors make it harder for you to get the degree you deserve and to graduate on time and without debt. How to keep up? Here are a few pointers:

Be flexible. If the tuition rises so much at your private college that it’s no longer affordable, transfer to a state school. It’s not the end of the world. Can’t afford to attend the state university anymore because of tuition hikes? Don’t panic. Take courses at a local community college until you can change your financial situation. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn something new and create a new circle of friends and you’ll find your new school is just as fun as your old one.Be smart with money. It never makes sense to waste money, so be smart about every dollar you spend. 1. Don’t buy snacks from vending machines or campus stores. Shop at the grocery store every weekend and stock up with portable drinks and packaged snacks that you can easily toss in your backpack each morning. And don’t forget to use coupons for even more savings.

2. As long as you’re not naked, you don’t have to have new clothes. Stay away from the mall and you won’t be as tempted to spend your hardearned money on clothes you don’t need. The same thing goes for CDs, DVDs, and the latest software. Borrow music and videos from friends instead of buying or renting them.

3. Use your student ID to its fullest potential. Lots of businesses, entertainment venues, and stores offer a student discount. Whenever you need to make a purchase, make sure you have your ID with you and ask if they offer a student discount.

Seek out scholarships. Instead of trying to get more financial aid or taking out a loan, find scholarships applicable to your situation. Scholarships, unlike other sources of funding, do not have to be paid back, and these awards are not only for graduating high school students, there are awards for students of all ages. Go online to your favorite search engine and type in the word scholarships and start researching. Visit the financial aid office at your college and ask if they have any information on scholarships. Visit your old high school guidance counselors and browse through the scholarship lists they have. Go to the library and look through books that list available scholarships and apply for any awards that you’re eligible for. And good luck!

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