Cutting College Costs

Tips For Saving Money While Away At College

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I'm starting college in the fall and am very excited! But because I have such a big course load and want to get used to my schedule, I'm not going to have any time for a job right away. I'm a little worried about money and was wondering if you had any tips for how to save some money when away at school.

Sincerely,

Frugal Freshman

A:

Dear Frugal Freshman,

There are lots of things you can do to save money while away at school. Not only is school expensive enough but now that you're on your own, you're going to want to save every penny you can, while also enjoying your college years.

Tips for cutting college costs:

Used Textbooks:

Buy your textbooks used, and sell the textbooks you no longer need online. You can post your books on an auction site like e-Bay or you can find existing used book sites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. There are even sites that specifically buy and sell used college textbooks.

Vintage Clothing:

Instead of Nordstrom's and Neiman's or Macy's and Target, hit the vintage clothing stores in your college town. There is a time for everything and whether or not you've ever been a vintage clothing advocate, cheaper clothes are important now, in order to make bank! College towns usually have vintage clothing stores just for this time in your life.

Cook, don't order in:

Restaurants are one of the big budget busters in college. It takes some planning, but grocery shopping and home cooking -- especially as a group -- is one of the cheapest, healthiest, and potentially most social ways to finance your college meals!

Find a Scholarship:

College is expensive, but there are ways for everyone to get a college education.

       Here are some resources and tips:

* Many colleges and universities give sports scholarships -- for obscure sports. Find out what the college you're interested in needs in terms of athletes. Women's golf, for instance, is a big competitive sport at some colleges, and the number of women competing for these scholarships is way, way, way fewer than men's basketball or football athletes. Find your sport -- or find theirs!

* Search out scholarship sites on the internet. Many institutions give out obscure scholarships for children of veterans, different ethnic groups, etc.

* Use your high school guidance counselor and library to find out ALL the resources available for funding college education. Consider hiring one of the newest professionals around -- a college admissions coach.

  

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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