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5 Creative Ways to Trim School-Related Costs

By U.S. News & World Report

While there are many articles detailing standard ways to spend less on school-related expenses like hitting retail stores at the right times, here are some unique and innovative strategies to spend less money on clothing and other back-to-school expenses.

1. Purchase used clothing for a higher cause.

While many people flock to their favorite retail stores to get the best deals on new clothes, some families are taking advantage of buying used clothes to raise money for their schools. If you don’t mind used clothing, you can buy clothes for your children this school year with brand names at a reduced price using Schoola.com. It sells used kids’ clothing for less.

Both shopper and schools benefit when a portion of the funds raised goes to the school of the donor’s choice. Schoola.com currently has over 13,000 schools participating in drives. Some schools have been able to raise up to $35,000 to meet financial goals for their schools’ wish lists. Some schools are now able to have programs for fitness, art, music and more. This is an innovative way to raise money with ever shrinking school budgets that leave little left over for these types of programs.

2. Invest in tech savvy friends to get bargains on technology.

Tech items can take a bite out of your budget. Using a computer for assignments is standard for all ages. If a new laptop, other electronic device or computer-related equipment isn’t in the budget, consider using refurbished ones. Talk to tech savvy friends to get the scoop on where the best deals and values are. If they happen to be an early adopter that just has to have the latest device, perhaps, you can purchase an older model that they might be looking to offload. They might even be able to help you when things go wrong with whatever device you own. Having a good buddy to help you troubleshoot can save you time and money.

3. Consider getting basic supplies even if you don’t have an official list yet.

According to the National Retail Federation, online shopping has grown by 15 percent. Many retailers such as Target, Bed, Bath and Beyond and Walmart are creating online checklists to make back-to-school shopping easier for those who like to shop online.

As students gets older, needed supply lists from schools aren’t always readily available before school starts. They might have to wait for the first day of school in middle school and high school. This last minute approach can make it harder for parents to get items on sale for their children, leaving you and your wallet in limbo. If this is the case, stock up on basic items like loose leaf notebook paper, binders, folders, pencils and pens when you see a good price. Many of these items are sold as loss leaders. Who wants to pay more when you don’t have to? This way, if the items you purchase end up on the list, you can readily use them. Make sure to keep your receipt so you can return anything that they won’t use and purchase other needed items at the same time. If you’re lucky, some of the supplies might even be on clearance.

4. Get around for less.

Taking the bus or school shuttle is a frugal way for a college student to get around, though it’s not always ideal in some situations. It can be frustrating to deal with the confines of bus schedules, though, especially while you’re carrying groceries, books or other important materials. Enterprise CarShare offers another cost effective solution for transportation on college campuses that can work around the student’s schedule and free them from carrying anything. Many campuses are embracing this new car share program.

Now students, staff and faculty are able to rent out cars for a low hourly rate. Members have access to a variety of makes and models. This approach is perfect for those who would like the option of using a car once in awhile. It can also serve as the ultimate test drive for those looking to buy cars down the road. There is even a no haggling program for students who are getting ready to graduate.

5. Benefit from membership

Take advantage of student rates on Amazon Prime. When you register as a member, you can get a discount. Not only will you spend less for membership, but you can find cheaper prices for textbooks, too. Having them shipped to you can free up time to get other things done, such as setting up your room or reuniting with old buddies.

It can be challenging to cover many school-related costs. You can use these tips mentioned to spend less money or get more financial bang for your buck.

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5 Creative Ways to Trim School-Related Costs 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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