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It’s not always easy to manage money; especially for college students. Many college students spend money on unnecessary things and end up falling into debt at a young age. However, with the proper planning and money management skills, college students can learn how to properly manage their money. Read on for helpful tips on how to manage your money as a college student.

Create a Budget

The first step to managing your money as a college student is to create a budget listing your sources of income and expenses. You may create your budget on paper; or you can use a software program like Microsoft Excel to prepare your budget. When creating your budget, be sure to list all sources of income that you currently receive each month, semester or quarter that you are enrolled in college (e.g. financial aid, scholarships, monetary contributions from parents, income from a job). Next, list all of your expenses including housing, tuition, food, transportation costs and other bills. Overall a budget is a helpful tool that can help you keep track of your finances and spending habits over a period of time.

Open a Savings Account

Another important financial tool that can help you manage your money is a savings account. You can set aside a portion of your income each month to deposit into your savings account for emergencies (such as unexpected medical bills, or car repairs). It is up to you to decide how much money you can afford to save on a monthly basis. However, you should be consistent with your deposits and do not withdraw any money from your savings account unless you absolutely must do so.

Live Within Your Means

Since you are a college student, your income may be somewhat limited. So, it is important to realize that you may not have the extra money to go on a shopping spree every week, or take a vacation every few months. Basically, when you live within your means you do not spend more money than you earn. Although it may be tempting to eat at fancy restaurants and wear expensive clothing, it is important to stay focused on your priorities and do not accumulate an excessive amount of debt while you are in college. Please keep in mind that if you apply for student loans and student credit cards, you are required to repay that debt. So, try to avoid racking up thousands of dollars in unnecessary debt. That is why you should have a savings account for unexpected emergencies, so you don’t have to depend on credit cards, loans or spending your bill money to cover those emergency expenses. Once you learn how to properly live within your means, you will do yourself a favor in the long run.

Learning how to properly manage your money as a college student may take a little time and effort. However, if you create an accurate budget of your income and expenses, set aside money for your savings each month and live within your means, you should have no problem managing your money.

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14y ago

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How can you pay for college?

One way is to apply for student loans. You can also apply for scholerships. Another idea is to first go to a comunity college for a couple of years and work after school to save money, then when you have a good amount of money you can find a college.


What is a direct student loan and how would you apply for one?

It is student loan provided to a student in college. When you apply for finial aid you can also apply for a student loan then, your college will have lender set up.


Can an F1 student send money to India?

Yes, an F1 student can send money to India.


Do you have to pay back FAFSA money if not used for school?

If a student accepts what's called a stipend check (the amount of excess Stafford Loan money sent to the student once college expenses have been deducted) then it does count as part of the student loan. Students are responsible for paying back the entire student loan plus interest whether it was spent on educational expenses or not. It is wise to return stipend checks and decrease the amount of student loans you take out.


Student Grant?

form_title=Student Grant form_header=Whether you need to pay for tuition, books, living expenses or other fees- student grants can help! Have you filled out and submitted a FAFSA form?*= () Yes () No Are you considering a two year college or a four year university?*= () 2 year college () 4 year university Are you looking to be a full time or part time student?*= () Full time () Part time Are you currently receiving money from another student grant?*= () Yes () No

Related Questions

How much money for college student?

ALOT


How can a student receive money for college?

loans and scholorships


Do you get the money for college in The Game of Life?

No, the money you borrow for college you have to pay back at the end of the game. It is just student loans.


what if the limit for free grant money?

what if the limit of monies given to a student for college


Who can benefit from attending a junior college?

Everyone can benefit from attending a junior college. The student can benefit by saving money and cutting back on needed student loan. Also, the person who is paying for the college benfits from a junior college.


What is the best way a student can manage their money?

dont be materialistic & stupid.. dont drink so much either


How can you get money to support yourself while going to college?

Student Loans are money that is given to you Specifically for college students. of course you have to pay it back but it helps allot in the long run.


Are you supossed to cash the money from your student loan check?

No you put it in the bank and wait til you need it for college and slowly take out for college stuff


Budgeting as a College Student?

As a college student, you should be very careful about the money you spend. When creating a budget, only be sure to allot spending for basic necessities. You may set a limit for eating out and partying. However, just make sure that the amount in these areas is minimal. Budgeting will help you save your student loan money.


How much student loan money can you receive for an unaccredited College?

None from most lenders. No federal student aid. Worthless degree and credits will not xfer.


Can a college withhold a student's results?

Typically, if a student owes money to the institution, they will place a hold on official transcripts as well as other activities.


Finding Grants for College Students?

It is truly important for college students to think about how they will pay for college. All too often, students avoid thinking about how they will pay for school until the last minute. They may end up forgetting to apply for the FAFSA, which means that they are unable to qualify for student loans to pay for college. It is truly a tragic situation when a student can not apply for college, simply because he or she forgot to apply for federal aid to attend school. It is very important for a student to do all that he or she can to get aid for college. When a student tries to get aid for school, then he or she will likely be able to take out loans. It is a great idea to take out loans for college, but a student should also remember to be responsible with the funds he or she receives. All too often, students can be quite irresponsible when it comes to taking out loans for college. It is never a good idea for a student to take out too many loans, if he or she does not need to take out those loans. A student should only take out loans in the amount that he or she needs, or else that student is taking money that could have went to another student. It is truly important for a student to be careful in spending the money that he or she receives for student loans. All too often, students are not careful when they receive their money for student loans. Students may end up spending their loan checks way too early, which means that a student has to take out more loans in a semester. It is a horrible experience for any student to have to take out loans, when he or she should not have to. A student will simply owe that much more money upon graduation. A student should try to make his or her life as easy as possible and avoid spending too much money in unnecessary loans. This will save a student in the long run. A student will not be stressed.