A recent study showed that nearly 60% of low-income students, that work more than 15 hours a week, had a C average or lower. Working while going to school can get overwhelming but there are other ways you can save.

If you are concerned about finances during college or want to start saving, there are a few tips to follow. Continue reading to discover some of the best tips for saving money in college! 

1. Work Part-Time

Working a low-stress, part-time job while in college can help you pay bills and keep up good grades.

Many people recommend only working a couple of hours each day. As you will need ample time to study. Weekend shifts are also ideal for college students and are quite manageable. 

The best part about working part-time is that you will get a paycheck every couple of weeks. This money can go into your savings account or go towards fun times and student merch!

2. Avoid Missing Payments

One of the best financial tips for college is to avoid missing payments on credit cards or bills. 

Missing payments can quickly damage a credit score and cause even more damage. It will make monthly payments rise and put you in a riskier position than you were before. 

Don’t be afraid to contact the company and work out a payment plan that is realistic for you. Companies are often understanding and will work with you to get the money that they need. Never ignore the calls and missed payments warning signs. 

3. Get a Free Checking Account

Many banks offer free checking accounts to students and this is what you should be signing up for.

A checking account will help you manage your finances and track how much money you have at all times. If possible, try to talk to the bank about opening a dual checking and savings account. 

4. Set a Budget and Follow Your Plan

Did you know that books cost nearly $1,500 a year per student in the United States?

Books, tuition, and food plans can cost a lot upfront so you must not forget them when planning out your budget. Many people work with FAFSA to get their student fees figured out with financial aid. Don’t be afraid to speak with a student counselor to get assistance throughout the process.

Budgeting is crucial, especially if you aren’t planning to work throughout the year. Make sure that you know how much money you have and can spend each week. This will help keep you on track! 

5. Apply for Scholarship and Grants

By working with the financial aid department at your school, you can save a lot of money and possibly get some in return! 

Student refunds are given each semester to those that received more in financial aid, scholarships, and grants. This extra money, that isn’t going towards classes, can be used on books, meal plans, and living. 

Scholarships and grants are the best things to apply for. Unlike financial aid, you don’t have to pay this money back! 

6. Get Textbook Rentals 

Did you look at your statistics class book list and realize how expensive the books are?

Buying brand new textbooks can get overwhelming if you are low on money. Instead of spending all of your money on books, consider renting them instead! Renting textbooks is recommended if you don’t want to keep the book over the years anyhow. 

Renting is easy and pain-free. We have a long list of textbooks for every class in college at a cheap cost. You can save hundreds by renting books versus buying them brand new. 

7. Utilize Student Resources 

There are many student perks that people don’t realize come with their education.

Instead of paying for a private tutor, many schools have programs and chances to learn more about the topics they are researching. There are many study groups and student resources that help improve grades at no cost at all. 

Student gyms, computer labs, and cafes can help you save money across the board and you get the benefits! 

8. Don’t Eat Out at Restaurants 

A big mistake that students tend to make in college is eating out for every meal of the day. 

Going out to eat constantly can put a dent in your wallet. By setting up a meal plan or going to the grocery and cooking, you can save money and eat well. Meal plans are the most convenient for students because they are located all around campus and have endless amounts of food it seems. 

9. Go to the Library

There are many reasons to go to the library to help save money.

By going to the library to print papers and documents, you are saving on printing fees and ink costs. Most students receive a certain amount of free prints within each semester, don’t underutilize them!

Another reason to head to the library is that it can save you money on buying books. Rent out a book that your professor is recommending to prevent small fees from adding up. 

10. Hit the School Gym

Another piece of college advice to follow is to skip the gym membership with monthly costs and head to your school gym.

Most colleges have a student gym that can be accessed by anyone enrolled or living on campus. These gyms are typically filled with the latest machines and have all of the options you can think of. By heading to the school gym, you can break free of monthly fees and commitments. 

Don’t be afraid to join fitness clubs at your gym either. Most college campuses’ have classes that run like yoga, sports, and swimming. 

Work on Saving Money in College Today

There are many ways that you can go about saving money in college for your first year and beyond. 

By saving money with textbooks and food, you can get ahead of the game and start growing your accounts. Don’t forget to open a free checking account to help you monitor your finances.  

Beyond utilizing your resources, working a manageable part-time job can also help save money in college. Be sure to check out our textbook selection to save the most money and sell them back when you are done!