Cutting Down College Costs
By: Cristina Fernandez
Many teenagers struggle with paying their full college expenses or at least part of tuition. Since there are really no expenses that can be ignored when going to college it may seem almost impossible to lower your personal bill. The truth is that there are ways to cut down the overall cost of going to college. Here are some ideas you can use to cut down costs:
1. Staying in a dorm room is fun because you have the opportunity to meet other classmates and peers, however, the cost of housing is a big part of paying for college. If you live a short distance from your college, living at home may be a great option. You will save hundreds of dollars a month by living at home. Plan your classes around your commute to cut down on travel time. Also, apply to be a residential assistant (RA). In many universities, RA’s receive free housing and food allowances. If you decide to rent an apartment, get a roommate to split the cost of rent, food, and other bills.
2. The cost of laundry can add up. Many universities charge separate prices for the washer and the dryer. For example, one load of wash may be $1.75 and one load for drying may be $1.50. One way to cut down the cost of laundry is as easy as not doing your laundry as often! If you come home a lot, save your laundry to do at your own house or if you know you will be coming home soon, wait to do your laundry. Having more clothes can also save you some trips to the laundry. You won’t be obligated to go as often. Obtaining more necessary clothes such as undergarments, socks, and T-shirts that don’t hog up space is a great way to make fewer trips to the washer and dryer.
3. Food is an important part of a college student’s budget! Late night study sessions lead to late night snacks. Sign up for monthly coupons and discounts offered to students through food shelters and youth organizations. Even just cutting down on the junk food is a great effective way to save your money. Find resources that the university provides for students because those resources will not simply come to you.
4. Get a job! There are tons of jobs available to college students on and off campus. The only thing to take into consideration is how much time you can actually work while still completing your schoolwork and other commitments. Getting a job can also take away time from spending money to hang out with friends and to go out. Internships are great opportunities to learn more about your future profession, gain experience, and earn money. Obviously classwork should get first priority, but if you have extra time on your hands why not earn money when you can.
5. There are many other expenses that can be cut out when going to college. If you decide to live on campus, do you really need a car? Not having a car can eliminate the cost of gas, car insurance, parking, and maintenance. Also, buy used books. You don’t need a fresh new book for every class. Go to the bookstore at your university and see if your required textbook can be sold to you used. If you want to buy a fresh new book, sell it after you are finished using it.
6. Many students join the military or the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) to save money on their education. The ROTC is a recruitment and training program provided by the military. ROTC members earn discounts on tuition and get covered for monthly college costs such as textbooks, and a guaranteed job after college.
Even though it may feel impossible to cut down on college costs, it really isn’t. If you save a little here, cut a little there, it will bring you a long way. The most important trait to have when looking to cut costs is discipline and responsibility.
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Image Credit: burlesonisd.net
