With August around the corner, college students need to start thinking about the new school year. Whether you’re just starting college or going back for another year, you will have to balance your expenses with your limited income and still focus on your studies. With the average student graduating with over $24,000 in college debt, it even more important today for them to plan ahead financially.
Build Your Budget
You might not have a lot of expenses during school, but that’s no excuse for not having a budget. Even with limited income, you can develop excellent financial habits when you make a budget early on in life.
If you’re starting your first year, you might not have a clue where to start for a budget. Visit your college’s financial aid page and search for projected expenses for students. With these figures, you can put the information into your personal budgeting worksheet and start the school year right.
Apply For Financial Aid and Work Study
If you've completed your FAFSA, you should call or visit your school’s website for information about student jobs or last minute scholarship information.
Most schools don’t post the work study positions until the fall, so if you’ve completed your FAFSA and are eligible for a position, keep checking the job posting site often. It doesn’t hurt to make contact with the department you would like to work in and talk with the secretary or department chair about open positions. Be prepared and bring a resume to stand out from other applicants.
Search For Used Books and School Supplies
One of the most understated expenses at college is buying books for the year. It’s not uncommon for textbook to cost $150 to $300 for one class that lasts only 16 weeks! Before you buy, try these tips to save money:
- Borrow from a friend. Ask around on facebook or in your dorm to see if someone is keeping their old book. If you can borrow from a friend, you can end up saving hundreds of dollars each semester.
- Visit a local used bookstore. Most college towns have a local bookstore that sells used textbooks for a discount. Plan ahead and bring your class list to the store to find the best deals.
- Search on Craigslist, Amazon or eBay. If you want to own your books, but don’t mind a used version, go online and search for some great deals.
(image credit: Carlos Porto)
Originally published on Youthradio.org, the premier source for youth generated news throughout the globe.
By: Maya Cueva
A version of the following aired on KCBS. (download mp3)
This Sunday I am heading to Europe with four of my best friends. And while in school, my friends and I have taken language courses to prepare, I've been thinking that a lesson on how to handle our cash may have been more useful.
In high school I took an Economics class for a semester and can now recite: the concept of supply and demand, how to calculate GDP, and how to maximize opportunity cost. But in that class we spent only two days learning about matters of personal finance. The California State Frameworks didn't leave much room for teaching about personal and household budgeting, which is why my teacher couldn't go into much depth.
I start college in the fall, and when I do it will just be me in charge of my credit card. What happens when I get my first statement, and I don't know how to recognize my own purchases?
Which is why I wish it was mandatory in high school to take a financial literacy course. Not just learning about the great depression or the current recession, but how to avoid our own financial meltdowns in college and in life.
Youth Radio/Youth Media International (YMI) is youth-driven converged media production company that delivers the best youth news, culture and undiscovered talent to a cross section of audiences. To read more youth news from around the globe and explore high quality audio and video features, visit Youthradio.org
surface encounters reviews url
surface encounters reviews url surface encounters reviews url
surface encounters review surl
surface encounters complaints surface encounters complaints
surface encounters complaints surface encounters complaints
surface encounters macomb mi surface encounters macomb mi
surface encounters macomb mi <surface encounters macomb mi
surface encounters rock tops surface encounters rock tops
surface encounters rock tops surface encounters rock tops
surface encounters mi surface encounters mi
surface encounters mi surface encounters mi
surface encounters quality marbl... surface encounters quality marbl...
surface encounters quality marbl...
surface encounters quality marbl... surface encounters.
No comments:
Post a Comment