When you're in college, it can be the best or worst time of your life, depending on how you deal with what comes your way. Most of us are leaving home for the first time for a long period of time when we go to college or university. It's also one of the first times we're pretty much in charge of our own money. Sad but true, most college students care just as much (or more) about money as they do about getting good grades.
Because tuition is so expensive and books are so expensive, many students live at or below the poverty line. Having a good paying job and a full course load is often hard to do at the same time, so you have to give up one or the other. Work for less at a job that works with your class schedule, or cut down on the number of classes you take to get a better job. Neither is a great choice.
The hardest part is making sure you have enough money each month to pay rent, buy food, pay bills, and buy beer and coolers. This means you should make plans ahead of time and think carefully about how and why you spend your money. But there are always times when money is tight or there just isn't enough. There are a few things you can do in these situations.
- Check out the scholarships and bursaries your school offers. There are a lot of them that go unclaimed every year, and they are often based on need, not on grades.
- Loans from family for a short time
- Ask your bank for a line of credit or a personal loan to help you pay for what you need.
- Apply for one of the many student credit card offers you can find on any campus. READ THE DETAILS CAREFULLY.
College is interesting enough without having to worry about money too much. There is almost no doubt that you will have money problems when you are a student. But how you handle your money on a day-to-day basis will determine how you handle money problems in the long run. Just keep your cool, and if you need help or advice, use the resources on your campus.
