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How to Save Money on School Supplies

By U.S. News & World Report

Though summer is just beginning, it’s already nearing back-to-school shopping season. For those students eagerly anticipating their first year of college, it’s easy to take that shopping list and run with it! Before you get started on checking off your supplies, take a quick read of my suggestions for what you should splurge on, what you should save on and what you might want to skip altogether.

Splurge

Your laptop is one of the most important items you’ll need with you at college. Yes, they can be pricey — but if you choose carefully, a good quality laptop computer can last you all four years of school. Do your research on what components are important for your specific classes and chosen area of concentration. (If you have an art concentration, for example, you might need some extra data storage for projects.) Without cutting corners on the type of laptop you buy, you might still be able to save money by getting a bundle with software. Look for these bundles, and possible lower prices, during the back-to-school specials throughout the summer. Students also often get special rates.

The next area you’ll want to splurge on is the appropriate outerwear and footwear. If you’re relocating to a new state or even coast, you might need to add on some staple pieces to your wardrobe. Prepare for the worst and stock up on a great winter coat and boots if you’re headed to colder climates. Fortunately, winter apparel isn’t in demand through the summer, so stock up now and get discounted prices. Also, make sure you have comfortable shoes for trekking around campus, even in nice weather.

Speaking of walking around campus, a sturdy, supportive backpack is crucial if you have a full schedule of classes. Splurge for a good quality bag with great straps and your back will thank you later.

Lastly, with long walks around campus, hour-long stints at the library and possible noisy roommates, you will want to invest in a quality set of headphones for your time at college. The earbuds that come with your phone or mp3 player can wear out quickly and there’s a good chance you’ll want a set with a noise-cancelling feature. Earplugs can also be useful.

Save

For the following items, I suggest looking for a cheaper price tag. Depending on your living situation and whether you have a kitchen or not, you may need some basic dishes. Either way, try for something durable but inexpensive, like the kind you can find at the dollar store. When you’re sharing a kitchen with roommates, the last thing you want is nice dishes getting broken or going missing. And if you don’t have a kitchen available and are eating most of your meals in a dining hall, invest in one inexpensive set of utensils, plus a cup, bowl and a plate for yourself — you won’t need more than that.

In your first dorm as a freshman, you might find that the beds are a different size than your bed at home. If that is the case and you need new sheets, stay frugal. There’s a small chance you’ll ever use those sheets again after your dorm years. The same goes for towels — obviously you don’t want them to fall apart, but just stick with basics and wait to get nicer, fluffy towels for your first apartment.

When you’re living on campus your first year of college, you might consider splitting a few items with your roommates. Rather than toting along a TV or mini-fridge with you, contact your future roommates a few months before move-in day to see if they’d be interesting in going in on a few items together.

Skip

As for items to skip that may be on your shopping list? My number one suggestion: a printer. You may want one because of the convenience of printing in your dorm room, and trying to avoid paying the fees in your school’s library. However, consider that you will need to buy your own paper and ink for a printer, and you might not even have room for one in a small dorm room. Stick to the school library; they probably have hole punches and staplers available, too, along with a help desk to assist with any problems — and that can be priceless.

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How to Save Money on School Supplies originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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