Money management tips for college students

Report: 7 of 10 college graduates have loan debt average of $29K

Going to college is an exciting time for students, and while there are many decisions incoming freshmen must make, including class schedules, textbooks and dorm decorations, some of the most vital decisions are related to money management.

According to the Project on Student Debt, seven in 10 seniors who graduated from public and nonprofit colleges in 2014 had student loan debt with an average of $28,950 per borrower.

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Here are some money management tips to relieve the financial burden throughout college and not end up with a massive debt:   

Create a budget 

Students are advised to separate wants from needs and list monthly income sources including scholarships and loans.

Use money for rent, bills, gas and groceries first then look ahead to upcoming expenses that include going out with friends and enjoying the college experience.  

It's not easy to identify what those needs and wants are early in college, but once a student does, they should try to manage their budget and track expenses using an online finance management tool, which helps create and stick to a budget. 

Set up a checking account and checking balances 

Many banks offer college students free checking and saving accounts, which allows students to avoid fees on withdrawals or fund transfers.

Try to find a bank with convenient ATMs near campus to eliminate extra ATM charges. Also check your balance regularly on your PC or mobile device.

It’s also important to note that college students are easy prey for identity thieves. Avoid checking a bank balance with a public computer and log out of your account every time. 

Real Time Student Loan Debt in the US | StartClass

Credit card management 

College is a good time to start building credit, but it’s easy for many students to accumulate a large amount of debt while in school.

If a student gets a credit card, it’s important for them to research interest rates and rewards and also understand how to build credit.

That includes paying bills on time every month to avoid wasting money on late fees. If your bank offers online bill pay or automatic withdrawals for bills, sign up to save time. 

Save money on textbooks 

Textbooks are a major college expense with some costing hundreds of dollars.

Students can bypass the cost for some books by buying a Kindle or iPad and downloading textbooks. They can also look for used books at a local bookstore.

Hold off buying a textbook until you have a syllabus and make sure you will not drop the class. Some online services let students print or research individual chapters. 

Historical Aggregate Student Loan Debt | StartClass

Eating on a budget and using a student discount 

Before you buy something in or around campus, find out if there’s a student discount for it. You can save money on several things including food, movie tickets and even electronics. 

Colleges also have regular social events and entertainment, which often come with free food. If you buy a meal plan, start with a smaller one to figure out how many times you will use it throughout the semester. 

Save money on gas by walking or biking around campus

Most campuses are pedestrian friendly. You can walk, bike or even take school shuttles to where you need to go.


About the Author:

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.