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The Best Back-to-School Sales of 2015

By U.S. News & World Report

Parents of schoolchildren know that August marks a busy shopping month: There are backpacks, ballpoint pens, binders and book bags to buy.

But you don’t have to let back-to-school shopping blow your budget. From office essentials to trendy clothes, we’ve handpicked the best school supply sales you should shop before the new school year begins.

Amazon

Amazon is a one-stop school supply shop. The retailer has discounted pretty much everything parents could possibly need to purchase for the start of the new academic year, from Lysol disinfecting wipes to Five Star notebooks.

Plus, through September, Amazon will roll out a series of limited-time deals on back-to-school products. Featured items include electronics and clothing as well as snacks and beverages. Visit Amazon’s back-to-school section, and check the ending date of a specific sale to see how long it lasts.

[Read: 14 Back to School Shopping Hacks.]

Staples

For a limited time, office supply store Staples promises to get students 110 percent ready for the start of school.

Now through Sept. 19, Staples will match the price of a competitor’s item, and then offer an additional 10 percent off the price difference. Present proof of the competitor’s price in store. For online purchases, call 800-333-3330 and provide the url and item number for the lower-priced product you found.

The Disney Store

Add a little character to your back-to-school supplies with Disney-themed products from the Disney Store.

The retailer aims to help students go “back to cool” with discounted prices on movie- and character-inspired products. Select backpacks, for example, have been reduced to $15 (regularly $22.95). Prices of select lunch totes have dropped to $10 (regularly $14.95).

Verizon Wireless

School shopping doesn’t have to only include the essentials. The back-to-school zone at Verizon Wireless includes all the electronic gadgets that a techie student will need to rock the semester in style.

And there are some discounts, too. The price of the LG G Watch, for instance, has been slashed by 56 percent. Students can wear this smartwatch for just $99.99 (regularly $229.99).

[Read: 3 Money Traps of Back-to-School Shopping.]

Wal-Mart

At discount giant Wal-Mart, shopping for school is as easy as searching by grade. The retailer has compiled a list of accessories for students of every age. Visit Wal-Mart’s back-to-school section, and click on the appropriate category: preschool, grades K-2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, grades 9-12, top college supplies or teaching and classroom supplies.

Within each section, shoppers will discover “rollback” discounts on staple products for the school year. School uniforms, for example, start at just $4.47. Plus, shop online at Wal-Mart and enjoy free shipping on orders $35 or more.

Overstock

Fifty percent isn’t a great grade in school, but it sure is a great savings opportunity. Online retailer Overstock has launched a school-themed sale and is inviting shoppers to “make the grade” with discounts up to 50 percent off on select products.

You can find deals on the following: bedding, furniture, storage, kitchen and dining, bath, decor and lighting, laundry and cleaning, electronics, collegiate and more.

Famous Footwear

The new school year just wouldn’t be complete without a new pair of kicks, and now you don’t even have to pick just one pair. Thanks to the back-to-school event at Famous Footwear, students can get both the Chuck Taylor Converse and the Nike running shoes they want.

Shoppers can buy one and get a second pair half-off when they purchase one pair of shoes and a second pair of equal or lesser value. Visit Famous Footwear’s website to view full details (including excluded styles) of this sale.

[Read: How to Save on Back-to-School Shopping.]

Toys R Us

Toys R Us isn’t just for toys; you can find back-to-school items there, too. Visit the Toys R Us website to browse sale products by category, including: lunchbox supplies, school supplies, classroom furniture, teacher supplies and more.

Additionally, shoppers who purchase any backpack priced at $12.99 or more can score a free lunch kit (up to a $9.99 value).

Kohl’s

In some cases, stocking up on classroom essentials is only half the back-to-school shopping battle. For college students, there are dorm room accessories to buy, as well.

At department store Kohl’s, the limited-time home sale applies to dorm furniture and bedding. Customers can find price cuts on everything from chairs and air mattresses to desks and laptop trays.

Plus, through Aug. 1, you can take an extra 15 percent off online purchases of eligible backpacks, kids apparel and shoes. Simply enter promo code “SCHOOL15” at checkout.

More from U.S. News

14 Back-to-School Shopping Hacks

10 Ways to Save on Your Wardrobe

7 Products to Never Buy in Bulk

The Best Back-to-School Sales of 2015 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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