Seven Ways to Save Money on Your Education
For many who want to further their education, money can be a big worry. There are many ways that you can save on your education, whether you have just left school, or you are a mature student. If you don’t have a lot of cash saved up and the thought of working alongside education is daunting, check out these seven ways to save money on your education, so you can focus on acing your exams and gaining your qualifications.
Find Second Hand Books
Most courses require you to purchase a number of books for your training. Unfortunately, these courses don’t take into account how expensive these books can be, especially if you only use them for one module. It may be best to wait until your course starts to see which books you really need, as some universities supply you with a huge reading list and some of these books you may never use. If you can find second hand books from eBay or other sources, use these instead. Not only does this save money, but it also saves the environment. It may also be that you can find all the books you need in your campus library. You can also find many books in the form of eBooks now and these are usually considerably cheaper than purchasing the paper version.
Use Student Discounts & Coupons
As a student, finding places with student discount is a must. Taking full advantage of discounts and coupons is a part of student life and it could save you a huge amount over the years. Many places from restaurants to clothing shops offer student discounts when you show a valid student card, which you will get when you begin your course. There are many discounts that you can also get online, from Amazon Prime to Spotify – saving money on other parts of your life ensures that your education doesn’t set you back too much. If you live in Manhattan or NYC and want to save on Manhattan Prep Schools, you can utilize the coupons and coupon codes available at BrokeScholar.
Take Your Own Food and Drinks
If you are going to be attending campus or the library most days, the cost of food and drinks can set you back, especially if you need that morning coffee to get you through the first lecture. Many campuses are overpriced, especially considering they are supposed to be catering for students. Being prepared and meal prepping can save you a lot of money over the years while studying. It is also worth purchasing a flask for those long nights in the library studying for your final exams. If you find an accommodation with a study room, this is the perfect place to study as you can get out of your room to avoid distractions, but you are still close enough to pop back for a coffee and a snack.
Find Good Housing
Finding housing as a student can be a nightmare, so once you have chosen on a place to study, choosing housing should be your sole priority. There are a number of different options out there, but staying at home is obviously the least expensive one. If you are adamant about moving out, or your course is too far away to commute to, or maybe you want to travel the world and study abroad, finding inexpensive student accommodation in London (or wherever you end up studying) is vital. Living on campus may be your best option as you will not have to pay for travel expenses. Sharing with roommates can also save you a lot of money and looking for a place with bills and other utilities included in the rent is a great way to save even further. If you are a fan of the gym, try to look for a student accommodation with a gym included as this could save you a lot over the course of the year.
Study Online
If the tuition fees are too much alongside the price of accommodation and travel expenses, studying online could save you a whole lot on your education. Online courses and degrees can be considerably cheaper and even if the tuition fees are very similar, you can save money in many other ways. There are also many other benefits to studying online including being able to do it in your own time and finding a course that doesn’t require you to move across state. As some universities and colleges only offer certain courses, it may be that the course you want to study isn’t available near you. Online courses solve that problem for many budding students and can offer a range of career opportunities that once were not possible, especially for those with children. If you are looking to get into the healthcare sector, this coding certification course is based solely online and is less than $100!
Check Out Employee Reimbursement
If you are a mature student already in a career, it may be that you are entitled to employee reimbursement. Some employers will pay for their employees to attend courses and set aside time at work to study. Some employers offer help with college tuition regardless of their course. One well-known company for doing this is Starbucks. If you are an employee here and you work over 20 hours a week, you are entitled to help with your college tuition. Something to bear in mind when applying for jobs.
Check If You’re Eligible for a Scholarship or Financial Aid
You should never assume that your circumstances do not allow you to get any financial aid. This is something that many students are entitled to and it can be a massive help in paying for tuition fees and accommodation costs. It is relatively easy to check if you are entitled to anything and this can be done for free online here. Many colleges and universities will have details of any scholarship programs available on their website.
While being a student can be hard on the bank account, furthering your education can lead you to higher paid jobs and is a way of bettering yourself. Saving up before you begin your education ensures that you have some money left aside for the worst-case scenario and many employers are happy to work around your studies. Following these seven tips can help you to save some money while studying.
