7 Savings Tips for College-Bound Students

Campus Jobs

Working part-time while in school is one way students can continue to contribute to the cost of college, especially to pay for “extracurricular” expenses. The key, of course, is to find a job that doesn’t compromise a student’s ability to graduate on time. Pick a job that’s on or near campus that works around your class schedule rather than arrange classes around a job. Some smart ways to earn money while in school include applying for federal work-study programs and selling class notes on sites like NoteHall, ShareNotes and DormRoomNotes.

Community College

Many students are choosing to attend a community college first to save money. Why give a school $30,000 a year when you have no idea what you want to study? A community college gives students a chance to explore their academic interests cost-effectively.

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Skip a Year

Ten or 15 years ago it may not have been as socially acceptable to take a year off between high school and college. Today, it can be a smart strategy, especially for students that need to shore up cash or take time to figure out their academic path. In the meantime, it’s important to maximize that year by volunteering, traveling, working and/or taking some classes that can be counted towards your college graduation requirements.

Look Into Free Schools

Some colleges and universities offer all students an entire, free ride. Examples include Cooper Union in New York, The Curtis Institute in Pennsylvania and Alice Lloyd College in Pippa Passes, Ky. A few years back BusinessWeek did a nice spread on the various colleges around the country offering full scholarships to all students.

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