Author Topic: College Life Expenses  (Read 2055 times)

moneymastersstudent

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College Life Expenses
« on: July 27, 2016, 03:36:00 AM »
Hi!

I'm a third-year college student working towards a dual bachelors and Master's degree at a public university in my state. My tuition and most of my rent expenses are paid for through the VPEP and VA 529 programs that my parents contributed towards when I was born. However, the VPEP only covers four years of college, and my program is a 5-year one. I've been looking for scholarships and doing my best to be frugal (I'm currently on 2011 in the MMM posts and trying to adhere to their advice), and I have a serving job and a $8.25/hour job at the university library, but I want to make the best use of my time and money (as well as my parents').

How can I take advantage of my status as a student to save on costs, and how can I make my money work for me as a student? Does anyone have tips on living frugally in college? Are there any special ways to get tuition money, since I don't qualify for financial aid?

Thank you!

tomatops

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Re: College Life Expenses
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2016, 06:42:06 AM »
Not sure how it is in the USA, but in Canada, there were some scholarships purely based on merit. I worked hard to get good grades to try and get those.

I also lived with roommates in really crappy places. I lived in this tiny room right next to the furnace and laundry machines, with the knowledge that "it's all temporary".

For textbooks: I tried my best not to buy by either using university reserves at the library (i.e. you can only check them out for 4 hours at a time etc.) or going to other libraries and photocopying where necessary.

Also: are there are any stores that favour student discounts? There was a grocery store that had 10% every Tuesday in my area so I just always went to that one!

A bit scattered, but I hope that helps!

Milkshake

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Re: College Life Expenses
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2016, 07:06:47 AM »
My university had a free bus system across the city. This removed the need for a car while in school, and saved me a ton of money. Living with roommates also saves a lot, and living off campus in a cheap apartment (still on the bus route) saved a lot as well.

You're in college so let's be honest- if you drink, pregame with your own alcohol before going to the bars, and drink free water at the bars. Waaay cheaper and just as much fun.

Look for obscure scholarships for weird things (I got $500 for being left handed). They have them for hobbies and traits. They might even have a "serving job" scholarship. Google is your friend here.

Look into being a community adviser or residential adviser in the dorms. My university paid a small stipend, and gave free housing + meal plan for CAs. In return, you stay up late a few nights a week on call doing homework, and work the hall desk putting mail in boxes for 5 hours a week. Pretty good deal.

And finally, like tomatops mentioned, STUDENT DISCOUNTS. Tons of places have them, even if they don't advertise them. Ask almost every place you go to if they have one, and always keep your student ID with you.

*edit*
Oh yeah, rent textbooks if you can AND won't need them after college. $200+ textbooks for some "diversity" class? No thanks. $20 rental works for me. My career specific manufacturing textbook for $250? I couldn't buy it used but I reference it nearly once a week at my current job. Worth the cost.
« Last Edit: July 27, 2016, 07:15:15 AM by Milkshake »

Choices

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Re: College Life Expenses
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2016, 08:45:10 PM »
You can probably do better than $8.25/hr with babysitting, tutoring, dog-walking, or many other tasks. But if the library isn't busy and essentially pays you to sit and study, then 'work' there as much as you can!