If you’re in college, you’re probably familiar with the unique financial challenges of being a student. A full-time schedule of college work doesn’t leave much time for earning an income, but that doesn’t mean expenses go away. In fact, many students have more expenses in college than ever before. 

Loans can help pay for the big-ticket items like tuition and housing, but if you’re aiming to keep your student loan debt as low as possible, you might prefer to pay for needs like textbooks and meals out of pocket. Then there are things like entertainment that aren’t covered by loans. It’s easy to see why “broke college student” is a familiar designation.  

The good news is everyone else on campus is likely in a similar situation, and there are plenty of ways to cut costs during your college career. For instance, you don’t have to buy brand new textbooks or even buy them at all. 

With apps like Chegg Books, you can rent them. You can find free local entertainment and student discounts on the TUN app. You can even lower your tuition and ease the burden of student loan debt by matching with suitable scholarships on apps like Scholly. 

To help students save and manage their money, we’ve put together a list of 12 financially helpful apps. Check them out below. 

Your time in college will teach you many lessons, including how to be resourceful with your money. It’s a great chance to learn how to budget and stay out of debt, establishing a healthy foundation for your financial future. Remember, it’s never too early to invest, save or monitor your credit score.