Brilliant Hacks  For  Going Back To School On A Budget

Paying for the cost of going back to school as an adult can seem daunting. But, the payoff for investing in your future is ten-fold! There are many ways to go back to school on a budget, from tuition and textbooks to freeing up cash by couponing. Here are some of our favorite money-saving hacks for going back to school on a budget.

Save A Little Money Here And There

The College Investor suggests 11 everyday items that you can include in your daily spending habits to save money for going back to school. These include grocery coupons, cheaper cell phone service, a free app for money tracking, and more that can help you free up a little money here and there toward your goals.

Try To Avoid Student Loans

We all know the horror stories about student loans. Some of us are living them right now!

As a way to encourage you to avoid accumulating any more debt than you may already have, there are tips on how to avoid student loans during your financial planning for college. Sometimes taking on another job or a side hustle isn’t feasible, but there are other ways to work the system.

• Apply for FAFSA to see what you might be eligible for in scholarships versus loans as a key piece of your college budget plan
• Check out state colleges that offer free or lower tuition to residents
• Always apply for the Pell Grant, TAP-NYS Tuition Assistance Award, and scholarships from the military if applicable
• If taking on a part-time job or side hustle is possible for you, consider a job that pays regularly in cash (bartending or waitressing are a couple of options)

Save Money On Textbooks

This is crucial. Textbooks can be expensive, and if you’re financial aid can’t cover the cost, don’t feel you need to buy them upfront. Renting textbooks is a more affordable option! Just remember to return them on time to avoid late fees. At textbooks.com, former students buy and sell old textbooks at a fraction of the original price.

To get started, you’ll just need the ISBN of your textbook, and take note of the publication issue to be sure you get the right book.

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