College costs increase each and every year. Not only is tuition expensive, but the cost of college textbooks can be outrageous. Thankfully, there are ways to cut the cost of college. Whether you start out at a community college or take online classes, you can save money.
Attend a Community College
First things first. You can save thousands by starting out at a community college. A community college can be an excellent place to get a lot of classes under your belt for less than a university would charge. Your main focus at a university should be classes that are focused on your major. There's no reason to pay a small fortune to get the basic credit hours you need. Just be sure that your hours at community college will transfer to your chosen university.
Buy Used Textbooks
You never, ever, ever want to buy new textbooks. There are times when a professor chooses a book that is brand new for that year. In that case, you have no choice. However, if the textbook has been out for at least a few months, you should be able to find a used copy. Check your college bookstore, but also check online. You can also rent textbooks, which is another great way to save.
Consider Different Housing Options
If you're attending college near your home town, you can save a lot of money by living with your parents. However, if you will be attending college in another state, you want to consider your options. Some universities require you to live on campus or with your parents for the first one to two years. If your college or university doesn't have those restrictions, look at other options such as renting an apartment or home. You can cut the costs even more by having roommates.
Take Online Classes
If you're not living on the campus, you can save so much money by taking online classes. The more online classes you can take, the better. You will not only save on gas money, but you'll also have a more flexible schedule that will allow you to work set hours.
Buy the Right Meal Plan
Last, but not least, for students that will be living on campus, you want to make sure to choose a meal plan that fits your needs. If you plan to eat every meal on campus, get the biggest meal plan. If you plan to make a lot of frozen dinners in your dorm room, you may not need a big plan.
College doesn't have to be expensive. There are so many little things you can do that will save you a lot of money. Whether you look at different housing options or buy used textbooks, you can cut the cost of college.
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