Decrease Your Total College Costs – Tips on Saving Before and During College

College tuition rates aren’t expected to go down any time soon, and many students are tempted to forgo one of the most important educational experiences that they can participate in for their future careers. While some people take a gap year to try and save up, this might not be necessary if you know how to save money on your education. These tips for saving before and during college can help you minimize how much you have to rely on student loans.

Take Advantage of Your High School’s Advanced Education Options
Many high schools have increased the availability of advanced education options that can help students earn college credits in the years leading up to their graduation. Many Advanced Placement courses allow students to get dual credits that fulfill both high school and college course requirements. Since the majority of these courses fall within the range of first-year college classes, they’ll typically transfer to most community colleges and universities.

Request College Fund Donations Instead of Gifts
Family members are often eager to shower high school students with gifts on special occasions, especially high school graduations. While it is always nice to receive a sweater or electronic device, the truth is that financial support could be more helpful to someone who is saving for college. Students can ask their loved ones to donate to their college fund whenever gift-giving occasions arise. Over time, these contributions may add up to a reduced need for requesting loans.

Start Out at a Local Community College
Depending upon your career path, you might not need to go to an expensive university right away. Community colleges offer similar first and second-year courses at a fraction of the price. If you’re determined to start at a university, then choosing one that is in your state can help you score lower tuition that is designed to meet the needs of residents.

Compare the Cost of Different Living Arrangements
If you go to a nearby college, then continuing to live with your family can help you to save on rent and dorm fees. If this is not possible, then you might want to check out the different costs of living in a dorm versus renting an apartment. Some students find that getting an apartment with roommates is less expensive than living in a dorm. However, the opposite could also be true. Paying attention to the cost of living arrangements in your area helps you to pick the best option for your financial situation.

Work With an Advisor to Create an Academic Plan
Considering the high cost of tuition, taking the wrong course could be a major financial issue. You can avoid throwing money down the drain by meeting with an advisor early in your first year of college. They’ll help you set up an academic plan that you can simply follow to make sure that you only take the courses that you need.

Use Your School’s Food, Exercise and Entertainment Amenities
Many colleges require you to purchase a meal plan if you live on-campus, and these can be much cheaper than buying fast food in your community. Your college may also offer the option of using their gym and other amenities, which allows you to cut out expenses for independent memberships. As a final note, consider going to your school’s theater shows, festivals and other activities for a low-cost entertainment option that helps you have fun while continuing to save money.

One of the biggest ways that we can help students afford college is to continue working towards achieving zero interest on all government-issued loans. Students shouldn’t have to scrimp and save every penny while they look forward to going to school, and being free from the burden of holding down a job can help young adults complete their education faster. While it might not be possible to make college completely free, we do have the option as a society to streamline the process of affording an education for everyone.