As I gear up for post-college life (and brace for a treacherous job market), I think of all the unforgettable memories from my time at Northwestern. But it's hard not to think about that 900 pound gorilla in the room named Student Loans.
For many students, college loans are unavoidable and debt is something that you'll have to come to terms with. But there are plenty of easy ways to save some much-needed cash. So, if you're a freshman, listen up. If you're a seasoned campus veteran, compare notes. Here are some easy ways to pad your wallet.
Buy text books online
Think of your college bookstore like you would a convenience store. You'll find what you want, but you'll overpay. So rather than shelling out 130 bucks for that Intro to Macro textbook, go online and buy a slightly used copy for a fraction of the cost. Most classes will have their book lists online and for the ones that don't, a quick trip to the campus bookstore to copy down some ISBN numbers is definitely worth it. I've found some amazing used book deals at Amazon.com, but don't overlook Textbooks.com and Barnesandnoble.com where you can earn 3% of your eligible purchases into your Upromise account, plus you'll receive free shipping in three days or less* on orders over $25. Campus bookstore: Thanks but no thanks!
Change your meal plan to fit your needs
The vast majority of freshmen have a meal plan that they don't fully use. If you're paying for 16 meals per week, but consistently only using 13, that's a problem. Most schools have a wide variety of meal plans that balance "meals" with "points" that can be used at locations on campus. Find what you use most and get a meal plan to match.
If you're in the mood for take-out, Upromise has you covered. By placing orders with Campusfood.com through Upromise, you can get 4% for college on your first order and 2% on every order after that. Saving money while eating takeout? Not too shabby.
Challenge your financial aid package
While a lot of schools will claim to cover "100% of your need", most families would beg to differ. With the skyrocketing costs of a four-year degree, every dollar saved is important. Try writing a letter to your school's financial aid office to explain family expenses that aren't always evident on a 1040 tax form. While getting substantial amounts of additional aid is unlikely, a lot of schools will tack on a few hundred dollars more in scholarship. I tried this and got an extra $500 my sophomore year.
Travel without breaking the bank
When looking for airfare deals, check to see if it is offered by any of Upromise's airfare partners (cheaptickets.com, expedia.com, hotwire.com, orbitz.com, priceline.com, travelocity.com). If you find a match, you can search for that airfare deal through Upromise. Not only will you have found the best deal, but you'll be growing your Upromise account as well.
And if you're looking for a vacation package, or some combination of flight, hotel and car rental, be sure to try Southwestvacations.com through your Upromise account.
*See site for details.
