Financial aid is a great thing for students. Yes, most of it goes to the school, but if you know what your doing you could have some spending money for the semester. One great way to help with getting the most out of your financial aid is to be aware of costs at your school of choice. I know at Washburn everyone wants to live in the LLC, which is the nicest dormitory on campus. Most students here dont know that by living in one of the less popular, Kuehne or West, yet newly remodeled buildings you save almost 300 dollars. So being aware of that sort of thing can really help.
Another thing on campus to be thouroughly aware of is the meal plans. The most expensive meal plan isnt always what you need, some include way more meals a week than you need, and you can usually have no problem staying within budget on the smaller one. which can also save you hundreds of dollars.
Saving a couple hundred dollars here and there will suprise you on how much you are eligible for your refund. Some kids can get up to almost 3,000 dollars back from financial aid. When you get this much back there are two main options. You can keep the money, or you can lower your loans so you wont owe as much back. If you pay your loans back thats great, but I would suggest keeping a little to get things you need.
If you keep the money I suggest you go put it in the bank and divide it into how much you can spend each month for the duration of the semester. That way you will have a monthly allowance to spend on things you need or want, and it will last until the end of semester.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Banking Accounts for Students
Almost everyone these days carries a debit card, cash seems to be pretty rare. This means that almost everyone has at least a checking account. Checking accounts require responsibilty, but if you know how you can use banking to your advantage. Most banks currently offer special checking and savings accounts just for students.
I currently have a Bank of America checking account. I think its super convenient, because these banks are everywhere I even have acess when I go home. Now at Bank of America they offer student checking accounts, as do many other banks. Most student checking accounts offer these convenient services. There is no minimum balance requirement, so you dont have to worry about maintaining a minimum balance which is good when your broke. Many banks also have mobile banking apps now which allow you to check your balance and pay bills from anywhere. At Bank of America to avoid monthly account fees you can sign up to go paperless, which just means you get your statements online which works well for me. Many banks also have text alerts services, which in this generation texting makes everything easier. Bank of America also has some options for cash back if you use your debit card certain places, like red box or dillons.
Savings accounts also have some student benefits if you find the right kind. Bank of America has a student savings program thats called keep the change. They round up each of your purchases to the next dollar and put that difference in your account, so you can end up making some great money.
Now I'm not saying that Bank of America is the best, in fact many banks offer student solutions now. Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Schwab, Citizens Bank, Citibank, and many others do also. Most of the benefits are the same for all. Student checking accounts can help you be more responsible with your money, and can help you manage it. Student banking accounts are a great way to avoid over-drafts in college and ruin your credit history.
I currently have a Bank of America checking account. I think its super convenient, because these banks are everywhere I even have acess when I go home. Now at Bank of America they offer student checking accounts, as do many other banks. Most student checking accounts offer these convenient services. There is no minimum balance requirement, so you dont have to worry about maintaining a minimum balance which is good when your broke. Many banks also have mobile banking apps now which allow you to check your balance and pay bills from anywhere. At Bank of America to avoid monthly account fees you can sign up to go paperless, which just means you get your statements online which works well for me. Many banks also have text alerts services, which in this generation texting makes everything easier. Bank of America also has some options for cash back if you use your debit card certain places, like red box or dillons.
Savings accounts also have some student benefits if you find the right kind. Bank of America has a student savings program thats called keep the change. They round up each of your purchases to the next dollar and put that difference in your account, so you can end up making some great money.
Now I'm not saying that Bank of America is the best, in fact many banks offer student solutions now. Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Schwab, Citizens Bank, Citibank, and many others do also. Most of the benefits are the same for all. Student checking accounts can help you be more responsible with your money, and can help you manage it. Student banking accounts are a great way to avoid over-drafts in college and ruin your credit history.
How to Eat at a Low Cost
College kids tend to have big appetites and empty wallets, suprisingly there are tons of ways to eat cheap while in college! For one, the schoole cafeteria is usually run on some sort of meal plan, especially to on campus residents, so since your already paying for it you should definitely utilize it.
Most college kids like to go eat out as much as possible, there are a lot of smart choices that wont break your bank. For those nights when your craving pizza in your dorm you might try Little Ceasars, they have "Hot n' Ready," pizzas and they are only $5, just go in and they are ready to take home and enjoy. Cici's pizza however is the best option if you want to eat out for the night. They are an all you can eat buffet for pizza, pasta, and dessert. The cost including drink is about $6, but if you can remember your student id then you get a discount of $1.34! They also take requests, so they will make ya almost any pizza you want.
For bugers theres of course many cheap eats. For Topeka students like myself, BoBo's is always a classic burger joint, and they have pretty cheap prices. Its a drive-in and you kind of get a 50's or 60's feel when you eat there. Also for students in Topeka like myself, you need to check out the Burger Stand. They give a 10% discount to Washburn students and have a ping pong bar in the back. You get good food and a cool place to hang out, plus its only about a block from campus!
Of course in almost every town you have the basics in fast food, such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Arby's.
Most college kids like to go eat out as much as possible, there are a lot of smart choices that wont break your bank. For those nights when your craving pizza in your dorm you might try Little Ceasars, they have "Hot n' Ready," pizzas and they are only $5, just go in and they are ready to take home and enjoy. Cici's pizza however is the best option if you want to eat out for the night. They are an all you can eat buffet for pizza, pasta, and dessert. The cost including drink is about $6, but if you can remember your student id then you get a discount of $1.34! They also take requests, so they will make ya almost any pizza you want.
For bugers theres of course many cheap eats. For Topeka students like myself, BoBo's is always a classic burger joint, and they have pretty cheap prices. Its a drive-in and you kind of get a 50's or 60's feel when you eat there. Also for students in Topeka like myself, you need to check out the Burger Stand. They give a 10% discount to Washburn students and have a ping pong bar in the back. You get good food and a cool place to hang out, plus its only about a block from campus!
Of course in almost every town you have the basics in fast food, such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Arby's.
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