After paying for college tuition, text books, and other necessary expenses, college students are usually left with a tight budget. If a student lives off campus and also has to pay for food and rent, that budget can be even tighter.
However, there are several little ways that students can save some money for a rainy day, a special purchase, or to put back for other purposes.
Get the Best Deals on Buying College Text Books
Depending on a student's college major or general education courses that are a part of a student's college class schedule, college text books can cost a student anywhere from $100 to $800 a semester, and when added to class fees and special supplies for art, music, education, or science classes, that total can pass $1000.
However, it isn't always necessary to spend that much on text books and educational supplies. Colleges and universities often have text book reservation programs, where students can reserve their text books for the following term right after registration ends in order to get as many used books as possible. Additionally, campus bookstores may also offer discounts to upperclassmen who use the reservation program.
Another way to save money on college text books is to only buy materials that are required for the class. Sometimes, professors will have a list of required texts and optional materials, which are not necessarily needed to do well in the class. Contact professors prior to purchasing text books to see which texts are required for the course and information on the texts.
Some colleges and universities also have text book rental programs for general education classes that students are required to take. Instead of buying books for classes such as math, lab sciences, and communications courses, contact the campus library to see if it is possible to rent these books for a semester instead of buying them out right. Rented text books or electronic editions are a fraction of the cost of new or used text books.
Take Advantage of College Student Discounts
Many restaurants, entertainment venues, museums, and clothing retailers close to colleges, universities, or major cities offer student discounts or special college night discounts. Often, all that is required of students is to show a valid student identification card either when purchasing tickets or before paying for meals, clothing, or other items. These discounts can be anything from ten percent off of your purchase, free appetizer or drinks, or greatly discounted admission.
Local businesses such as grocery stores, take out restaurants, and other businesses such as laundromats may also offer special discounts or package deals for college students. For these offers, students may have to order a minimum dollar amount of food, use debit accounts linked to their student identification card, or order services from a land-based phone line in a residence hall. Either way, all of the discounts available can add up to considerable savings over the course of a quarter or semester.
Look for Free Things for College Students
If college students look closely, there are a lot of things that college students can get for free. Often, an activities and student participation fee, which covers all or part of things such as on-campus entertainment, theater productions, and other events, along with fees for things such the campus recreation center, are automatically rolled into tuition. Students pay these fees regardless of whether or not they take advantage of these offerings, so it helps to take advantage of what is already on campus since the student has already paid for it.
For example, colleges usually host some form of entertainment on Thursday or Friday nights, whether it is a dance, comedian, performer, concert, or a movie. These events are usually free, with bigger name events such as concerts being available for a greatly-reduced price.
Admission to a college or university's athletic events is usually either completely covered or partially covered by fees factored into the cost of attendance. All students have to do is reserve tickets in advance or show their student identification at the gate to get special student rates. For certain games, such as big rivalry games, Homecoming, Senior Nights, or spirit days, the college or university's athletic department or the alumni booster program may also be giving away free T shirts or have contests for a variety of prizes.
For students looking to get off campus, check with the college or university's student activities office for partnerships with local movie theaters, bowling alleys, and other attractions to see if there is a night where college students get in for free or get special discounts. Some schools may partner with these local businesses to provide special deals on certain days of the month, such as free shoe rental at a bowling alley, buy one get one free deals, or free movie nights at the local movie theater.
With the cost of college attendance rising every year, it is hard for college students to save money and still have a social life. However, there are plenty of ways for students to save money, have fun, and pay for school all at the same time.
Ashley Anderson - Ashley is an Ohio-based writer and editor with specializations in higher education, writing, and social activism.
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