If you are going to college, you probably already know that education is quite expensive. It’s not just tuition — there are many other costs, especially if you’re living away from home for the first time. What is the best way to deal with these costs? First, you have to inquire about the real cost of college. Let’s find out all the things you need to consider when going to college, both obvious and subtle.
How Much Does It Cost to Study in College Today?
1. College tuition and fees
Tuition fees are the amount you pay for actual academic tuition and credits per class. Students are often billed by semester, credit hour, or quarter. Fees are often charged for mandatory student service fees and added to tuition fees so that they are reported together.
The average tuition and pay in college today is:
● $35000 in private colleges
● $10000 for state residents at public colleges
● $25000 for out-of-state residents at public colleges
Remember, this is just one year of college. 4 years of private college tuition can cost you as much as six figures.
2. Books
You have to buy books, of course. Textbooks and manuals for a year may cost you approximately $1500. But if you download books from the Internet or buy used books from undergraduates, the costs can be reduced.
3. Insurance
Medical insurance is compulsory for all students. Colleges usually take out insurance by default and include the cost in the tuition bill. One way to save money is to refuse college insurance and choose a cheaper student plan from another company. The average cost is $300 per year.
4. Accommodation
Many students live on campus their first year. The price can range from $15000 to $20000 per year. After freshman year, many students rent a room or apartment. That can cost from $9000 to $15000 per year. To save money, students rent apartments for two or three people.
How to Save Money?
1. Reduce the cost of education
Going to community college is a great way to reduce the cost of education. Most have programs to transfer to in-state 4-year public colleges. You can take some of your graduation class requirements at community college for a much less expensive price. Also, by living at home, you can also save more money.
Another option that students can consider is ordering research papers for sale online. This can save them time and money compared to writing the papers themselves or hiring a tutor to help them. However, students should ensure that they choose a reputable service provider and that the papers they purchase are original and of high quality.
2. Find cheap accommodation
It depends on where your college is located, but you can often save money by living off-campus in shared housing. In some cases, living further away from the college is another strategy to save money by finding less expensive neighborhoods that have public transportation to get to school.
3. Save on food
If you are able to cook, you can save money by doing meal prep and cooking your meals instead of eating out. It might even make sense to join a wholesale store to buy groceries in bulk, especially if you coordinate it with a group.
4. Student Card
A student card gives different privileges to students. The ISIC card is an international identity card that confirms your student status. The card provides discounts on many services around the world. Various hostels and hotels, airlines, cafes, and shops provide students with a discount on their ID cards. To get a card, you need to fill out an application, attach the necessary documents, and photos, and pay about 9 dollars. The card is valid for 1 year. The full list of discounts can be found on the ISIC website.
5. Get insurance
To study in some countries, student health insurance is compulsory. If this is not necessary for admission to college, don’t skimp on the insurance policy. If you need to go to a hospital without insurance, you might end up spending more than the amount of insurance you might have taken out.
6. Save on Transportation
Of course, to save money, it is worth choosing accommodation located near your college. You might be able to reduce travel expenses by applying for a special student travel card (you can find out more about this at your college) or by choosing a convenient and inexpensive means of transportation, for example, a bicycle or a scooter. The cost of such a vehicle will pay off in a few months. You might also check the classifieds to buy a used bicycle.
7. Don’t buy new books
Textbooks can add up. You can save on educational materials by buying them from senior students who will no longer need these textbooks.
How Can You Save Money on Other Aspects of the Educational Process?
All students will need access to the Internet to write and print their work, and download, and read e-books. Printing can be an additional expense. You can save money by passing on buying your own printer and using the free computer rooms available at most colleges.
You can also ask professionals to help you with different tasks if you have no time for them. For example, you can order cheap essays online or buy custom help with a student paper from experts. It will definitely help you save your money, time, and nerves.
p.s. Related posts:
How To: Pay for College from Dr. Michele Borba
Why Full Ride Athletic Scholarships Are Rare
The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship BOOK BIRTHDAY!
Best 529 College Savings Plans (from Morningstar)
7 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your College Experience
#CollegeAveLoans New Parent Loan to Pay for College
Thank you Coach Tarabelli for The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship Review!
Tackling College Sports podcast for The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship Book Launch!
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
To examine any book more closely at Indiebound or Amazon, please click on image of book.
As an Amazon and IndieBound Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
My books:
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me