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Back-to-School College Shopping: What to Buy and What to Skip

By WTOP Staff

Back-to-school sales are taking center stage at your favorite big-box store and will continue through most of September. If you’re college bound or shopping for a college student, make sure you’re getting the best deals on dorm room furniture, electronics and supplies. Take advantage of sales tax holidays, and don’t overlook the benefits of buying some of those must-haves online.

Here’s a closer look at what you should be buying — and skipping — when you’re heading back to college this season:

What to Buy

Summer apparel. Deal News reports that retailers are becoming more aggressive with clothing discounts as the end of summer draws near, and you could expect to pay up to 70 percent off retail prices when you shop summer clearance sales. Stock up on some basics that you can layer with through the fall and winter months, or just pick up a few casual pieces for those days you’re lounging around the dorm.

Backpacks. August is one of the best months to buy a backpack. Whether you’re hauling around your laptop and textbooks or just need a carryall to take around campus so you don’t have to make a pit stop at the dorm, invest in a sturdy backpack with contoured straps.

Digital cameras and camcorders. If you need to take high-quality pictures for school projects or just want to invest in a digital camera or camcorder this year, you’ll find the best prices on these electronics right after September. Take some time to shop around, and don’t overlook manufacturer rebates and online flash sales for even better deals.

Laptops and tablets. Need a new laptop or tablet for school? You’ll snag the lowest prices on laptops right when back-to-school shopping season comes to a close. If you can hold off on making that laptop purchase for a few weeks, there’s a good chance you’ll end up paying a lower price.

Storage containers and shelving. Everything you need to stay organized during the school year is likely to be on sale. Stock up on those storage boxes, shelving units and other organizational tools to keep your dorm or apartment in order. Look for back-to-school promotions on dorm basics, and take advantage of online coupons and free shipping offers to save even more.

What to Skip

Mobile phones. If you’re in the market for a smartphone, wait a few months for new deals from major mobile service providers. Back-to-school season isn’t the best time to sign that new contract because newer models are usually slated to come out before the holidays.

Jeans. Denim and fall clothing collections have just hit the racks and won’t be on sale for at least a few weeks. So don’t add jeans to the end-of-summer clothing roundup.

Televisions. July is the slow season for TV sales, so if you missed out on some deals earlier this summer but still want a new television, it might make sense to wait until Black Friday sales roll around. Alternatively, take a look at refurbished or overstock items from reputable retailers.

GPS navigators. You may need one of these if you’re commuting to campus every day or attending college in a new city. But hold off on that purchase until November or December when you can get the best deals on GPS navigators and other small electronics. Use the Google Maps app on your smartphone in the interim.

Don ‘t Forget the School Supplies

Back-to-school season is a great time to stock up on school supplies and office essentials. You’ll find the best discounts on school supplies after the first week of the semester, but your choices may be limited. Take advantage of last-minute deals and weekly sales available online and offline during the few weeks leading up to the first day of class to round up all the basics. Buying these supplies in bulk is another way to save money, and you can have everything shipped directly to the dorm or apartment — saving you time and stress dealing with those back-to-school crowds.

More from U.S. News

7 Big Money Savers for Your First Year at College

5 Money Topics for Parents to Discuss With College Freshmen

How to Manage Your Money in Your 20s

Back-to-School College Shopping: What to Buy and What to Skip originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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