Guest Post

As tuitions rise and state governments continue to cut budgets for higher education, seeing your way through college is becoming more and more challenging. You can either spend less or make more, preferably both. Here are some suggestions you might want to take a look at.

Spend Less

• Choose the right college and major – Tuition fees take the biggest bite out of a college student’s budget. PayScale 2012 rankings show big differences between private and public schools, as well as learning institutions by state. For instance, a Liberal Arts education at Lewis & Clark College (private) can cost you over $189,000 while one at Northern State University (public) will set you back by only $95,000 even if you’re out-of-state.
• Look for grants and scholarships – Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid at your school. Many colleges offer grants based on a student’s merit and need. Find out about institutional scholarships available at your university. Surf the web for government scholarships or contact organizations involved in your major field of study for third-party scholarships.
• Stick to federal loans – If you must take out a loan, avail of the lower interest rates of federal loans. They have easier repayment terms and some are interest-free as long as you’re enrolled.
• Rent textbooks or buy used ones – Textbooks and school supplies are another major item in a college budget. For both printed or ebooks, rent instead of buying. If you must buy, look for used books in college bookstores or over the internet. Keep the books you bought in good condition and sell them after you’re finished.
• Be a smart shopper – Food bills can eat up a lot of the budget. Look for bargains and discounts; make use of coupons and choose fresh foods over packaged items. Eat out during “happy hour”.
• Get student discounts from sites such as StudentsAdvantage.com. Save money on food, travel, school supplies and more.
• When you’re in the need for clothes, second hand shops, thrift stores and even yard sales can be a gold mine.
• Live rent free – If you can live at home with your parents or relatives rent free, by all means you should do so. An alternative for rent free accommodation is to find a house sitting job. House sitting is where home owners planning a trip or vacation, engage someone to live in and take care of their property and pets.

Make more

• Get paid for freelance writing. Sign up at sites like CollegeCopywriters.com where you can select writing assignments that match your skills.
• If you have special skills like fixing computers, repairing gadgets or even cars, earn extra income by putting your skills to work.
• Be a tutor. If Maths, Science or English is your strength, you can earn money tutoring students who need help.
• Find a part-time job – Use your spare time to work as a waiter, messenger, guitar player or whatever is available. One good way is to get a house sitting job which not only provides rent free accommodation but also pays for maintaining the property.

Mel Bridge discovered house sitting as a way to save on accommodation costs as well as provide a part time income while in college. Today he still uses house sitting for free accommodation when exploring different parts of the country. His preferred house sitting website is http://mindahome.com

Looking for a way to make some extra money while you’re in school? How many papers do you have to write this week? Only two? Want to make it three? What if you could earn an extra $50 for writing an extra paper?

No, we would never suggest that you cheat! But did you know that thousands of people out there are making a little extra cash by writing? Need a creative outlet? Write some short stories! Not very creative? Write some web content! Good at grammar? You’d be shocked by how many people need a good proofreader! If you are studying another language while you’re in college, you are even more employable. Many, many people and companies out there need people to translate content for their websites.

And these are jobs you can do without ever leaving your dorm room! I know, I know, you don’t want to write any more than you have to. But let’s be real—wouldn’t it be worth it for the money? And let’s be honest—don’t your writing skills need a little bit more sharpening?

The truth is that many college students just like you are earning up to a nickel a word! (That’s about $25 per page.) Many, many websites out there advertise these writing jobs. For example, visit craigslist. Under jobs, you’ll find a “writing / editing” category. Check it out! You may be surprised by how many jobs are listed. (You can also check out sites like Indeed or Monster. You might also explore sites like Elance or Guru, though be aware that these sites take a hefty cut of your earnings!)

You may need a resume, even when you’re applying for quick and simple jobs, but don’t let that scare you—many people assume that because you are a college student, you already know how to read and write! Go ahead and play up the fact that you are a student! And if you do want to beef up your resume a little, write a few stories or articles for free, get them published in local or campus publications, and voila! You’re a published writer!

This is not a get-rich-quick-scheme, and if any employer ever tells you otherwise, run in the other direction. You will have to put in the time and the effort, but isn’t that true of any job? And if you need a little extra money, this is a great way to earn it, without a huge commitment (or a huge commute).

Robin is a freelance writer who can usually be found writing about criminal justice jobs.

At the start of every fall semester or quarter, most students have a pocket full of money, dreams of straight “A”s and the best year of their life.  However, as soon as you pay moving expenses, get your books, clothes, supplies and the hidden school expenses, you’re already having to start watching your coins.

We have a few ideas on how to stretch your food money so you have more to spend on fun.  We’ve found some pretty cool sites to share with you.

Remember eggs in a basket?  Check out Blissful and Domestic’s  recipe with a little Tony Chachere’s seasoning.  Easy to follow directions with photos…make you miss your Mama.

Danielle, the author of the blog site has some other great recipes with printable menu plans and grocery shopping lists.  Check her out.

How could you possibly survive college without Ramen noodles?  We think it’s funny that the chicken and mushroom Ramen noodles doesn’t have chicken and mushroom but it could if you put them in there.  There are no boundaries of what you can do with these versatile little morsels of goodness but, most often they are prepared and consumed with what comes only in the package.  Get creative and share your faves with our readers.

In Yahoo Voices, Oct 2006, Phil Dotree wrote “The Six Best Cheap College Foods”, “How to eat like a third world king for a few bucks a day”

1. Mac and cheese
2. Pizza – the frozen kind from the grocery
3. Ramen
4. Cereal
5. Beer – Dotree says even though beer is not food, “college kids use it AS food quite a bit”.
6. Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

One of our faves for 2012 has to be Little Ceasars.  It’s amazing how you can feed two or three people $5 to $8.

College students and social media are synonymous.  After all, Facebook, the “King” of social medias, was invented by a college GEEK. So it’s no wonder that their most famous dropout helped put Harvard in the  number one spot as the Top Social Media College according to Student Advisor.

University of Kentucky took the number 7 spot because Big Blue Nation and the  proud fans love to share about the winningest basketball program of all time.

At number 29 is Mississippi State and their study abroad photo page.

We loved  College of Charleston’s YouTube channel, well done.

The movie Red Tails honoring some of the best pilots that have ever lived and fought for their country helped Tuskegee University launch a social media promotion and earn the number 75 spot on the Student Advisor list.

How is your school using social media and are you interested in promoting your school?  Please share your comments with us.

Getting out on your own and going to college is exciting. It is a time to take claim to your independence and be your own person, separate from your family, which means all your stuff is now your responsibility. More often than not college students are responsible for taking all of their furniture and belongings with them as they move out on their own. Simple economy of space.

When the big move to college also means moving into a tiny dorm room that is pre-furnished or a single room of a shared house or apartment, it can mean that you no longer have space for all your treasures, amassed throughout your childhood. Holding on to these items is important, they are mementos of your youth, heirloom furniture, reliable pieces of your existence that you hope to make space for in future homes. Some items are expensive or priceless and you simply don’t want to part with their value. You may want them for nostalgia or to pass on to your future generations, but you know you don’t want to see them in the bulk trash or sadly awaiting destruction at the goodwill.

There is an answer: long term storage! While you get through college in small, cramped spaces, your extra stuff can be stored in a long term storage unit for an affordable monthly rate. You can choose the size of your unit, temperature controlled or not, and you have access to your stuff whenever necessary.

College students move, on average, 3 times a year!  You can save money on moving costs by keeping unused, storage items in one place while you move between small, temporary homes.  If you decide to travel or study abroad, long term storage is the best way to keep all of your belongings safe in your absence.

Self storage units are also a great way to plan ahead! While living the poor student life you have to learn how to cut corners and save. Renting a small room or unit well under your housing budget can help you save extra money each month. By including the storage space rate into your housing budget and comparing prices, you can save big. What to do with the extra cash?

Save it!  Invest in your future. You can build a small portfolio of investments or simply save up for “after graduation” items that you anticipate wanting to own. Long term storage is a great place to put that amazing brand new piece of furniture you found on super deep discount that you’ve been daydreaming about for your future home. Rather than let sales pass you by on one-of-a-kind items because it won’t fit in your tiny room, or you don’t want to use the nice furniture while in the neglectful school-first mindset, put it in storage! You’ll be glad you did when you start your career and find a bigger home with actual furniture needs. It is always much harder to buy a bunch of furniture at once than to be selective and shopper savvy by buying pieces at a time when on sale.

While you plan out your semester budgets and figure out what classes you want to take, don’t forget to budget in self-storage and stop worrying about your “extra” stuff! Put it in long term storage and enjoy the peace of mind in knowing it will be there for you when you need it most.

Image by CollegeDegrees360 and licensed through Creative Commons.

Paul Benjamin is a District Manager at EZ Storage a self storage company providing clean, secure storage units available with flexible leasing options, visit our website at www.ezmini.com to find out more.

It’s hard to believe that it’s time to go back to school.  Some schools and Universities are starting back within the next couple of weeks.  We might as well save a little money when we can.  Here are a few tips for you.

School Supplies
The experts say to shop early and shop often.    Start watching the sale circulars in your local paper and look for coupons.  Different items will be on sale at different times.  The longer you wait the more likely you are to pay too much for convenience.  Watch Groupon for potential savings.

Computer Equipment
Shop online prices , then visit the local stores.  You might get price matching and you’ll have more information to compare features and benefits.  Check out the local computer stores for used equipment or to overhaul your existing equipment.

Shoes and Clothes
For “cool shoes” we’re partial to Zappos.com.  For bargain shoes look for the buy a pair, get a pair free.  For the very big events like “formals”, check out Rent The Runway.  You can wear the best of the best from shoes, handbags, dresses, sunglasses and more for a fraction of the cost of owning.  For everyday clothes, check to see if your state will have a back to school “tax free day”.

Books
Avoid “New” textbooks at all costs.  Rent every book possible and rent it early before supplies run out.  CollegeBookRenter.com is having a rent it early, keep it late promo right now.  Check out http://www.collegebookrenter.com/cbrcoupon.cfm.  You’ll still need to purchase consumables like work books and study guides but, make sure you will absolutely need them.  Check with friends and campus bulletin boards for a good deal.

Dorm and Apartment Supplies
Besides all the cool stuff at Target and other major retailers, check out garage sales and auctions.  If you haven’t been to an auction, it can be very exciting to bid on your items and they cost almost nothing compared to buying new stuff.

Do you have a few money saving tips to share with our readers?  Please pass them on.

Study habits. We all have them, but there are five that can help you study faster, retain more information and feel less stressed about your finals this semester.

If you have questions or need more info on effective study techniques, join us on Facebook May 4^th at 3:30 Central. Our guest, Alex Weiner, owner of Collegewise New York, will host a question and answer session to help you prepare for finals. Read Alex’s recent interview in Forbes here.

1. 1.       Listen to classical music.

According to the Center for New Discoveries in Learning, music with a 60 beats per minute pattern activate the left and right brain. The stimulation of the left and right brain maximizes learning by helping you retain information.  In fact, studies have shown that learning potential was increased at least five times when participants listened to music following a 60 bpm pattern.

Keep in mind that all classical music is not created equal. The order of the music is crucial to how the brain responds. Music from the baroque and classical time periods feature orders that include patterns of rhythm, pitch and mood contrasts, and repetition and changes. Studies show that the brain performs better when a person listens to this type of ordered music.

Studies also show that music with irregular beats and shrill frequencies, like those found in hard rock music, actually reduce the brain’s ability to learn new information and retain it.

To maximize your ability to learn new information and retain it, add to your playlist the following pieces that feature ordered music with a 60 bpm pattern:

Bach’s Air on The G String, Suite Orchestra No. 3
Strauss’ The Blue Danube
Corelli’s Concerti Grossi, Opus 5
Handel’s 12 Concerti Grossi, Opus 6
Pachabel’s Conon in D Major
Vivaldi’s Guitar Concerto
Albinoni’s Oboe Concerto
Geminiani’s Concerto 9

1. 2.       Watch what you eat.

Studies show that diets rich in fruits, veggies and fatty acids help boost memory and your brain’s ability to learn new information.

Omega-3 fatty acids books energy, enhance your learning ability, improve problem-solving skills, and books memory. Foods rich in Omega-4 fatty acids include salmon, tuna, mackerel, haibut, herring, anchovies, and sardines.

Soy improves brain development, slows memory loss, improves cognitive function, and maximizes memory recall.

Citrus and colorful fruits improve memory recall and increase blood flow to the brain. Super fruits proven to improve brain function include avocados, cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, pineapples, oranges, apples, grapes, kiwi, peaches, and cherries.

Green leafy veggies like broccoli, cabbage, kale, turnips, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, radishes, spinach, and collard greens help you retain new information.

Chocolate can help you focus and improve your concentration, so it’s a good idea to take a piece of dark chocolate with you and eat it before and during your exams.

Freshly brewed green tea has been proven to improve memory and combat mental fatigue.

1. 3.       Get some exercise.

As little as 20 minutes of cardio a day can help boost brain function and improve your ability to retain information. Exercise also relieves stress and improves alertness.

1. 4.       Study new material right before you go to bed.

Your brain forgets information when it is forced to learn new information. Therefore, since you do not think during deep sleep, your body is better able to retain the information you studied prior to hitting the sack.

1. 5.       Be deliberate in the order in which you study.

Your brain can retain information about two unlike subjects better than it can retain information about two similar subjects. For example, it’s best to study Humanities and then Chemistry, rather than studying English and then Literature.

Preparing to study for finals is just as important as preparing for your finals. So before you head to the library to meet up with your study group, update your playlist on your iPod, eat right, exercise, make a study plan and keep your eye on the prize. Remember, there’s no greater feeling than walking out of a classroom knowing you aced a test that accounts for a huge percentage of your final grade!

Students today have access to an unprecedented amount of information. Between search engines, social networking and mobile devices, there’s more information available than anyone could process in a lifetime.

Trying to make sense of this flood of information can be daunting, however, and when you couple that with the often-hectic lifestyle of a college student, it can be overwhelming. Luckily, there’s an array of online tools and apps to help students do just about everything from renting textbooks to managing finances and ordering dinner.

Yes, There Is an App For That
Finance apps like PageOnce and Loot help students manage their money by tracking their spending and keeping an eye on their budget. Students can record or sync cash and credit transactions to their mobile device. Some apps also will track student loans and PayPal spending.

Apps like Google Shopper are great for those who want to comparison shop without the legwork. These apps can help students stay on budget by finding the lowest prices on everything from textbooks to clothes and electronics.

Other apps help students study and keep tabs on schoolwork. Students can use their mobile device to access the dictionary, the periodic table of elements, graphing calculators and other tools. Students can also use apps to create flashcards, brush up on foreign languages and build their vocabulary.

Other apps such as Evernote, CoursePro and StudyDroid help students record notes, organize course content and manage assignments. Students can use apps like Bigwords to rent textbooks on the go.

And for those who have trouble waking up and getting to class on time, there’s the Morning Routine app, which requires users to scan a barcode before the alarm shuts off. Try sleeping through that one.

Universities and Colleges Are Going Mobile Too
Although some may feel that the proliferation of mobile devices has created a distracted student body, many people at the university and college level are embracing new mobile marketing trends to interact with and engage students.

As mobile devices become more powerful and affordable, universities are realizing their potential to enhance student learning and campus life. Universities are developing their own apps to do everything from sending SMS alerts for security issues to keeping students updated on campus events and transportation with real-time data.

Some colleges are experimenting with using e-commerce and mobile technology to allow students to pay for items on campus using their phone. Others are engaging students by developing games and other content intended to be easily shareable on social networks.

Social and Mobile: Key Ingredients to Student Connectedness
For many students – particularly those who are away from home and on their own for the first time – social media is the key to feeling connected. They often use a smartphone to access the Web and social networks. Having a larger social network can make students feel as if they have higher levels of support.

Colleges and universities also have taken the lead in using social media as part of their marketing and recruiting plans. They recognize that, in order to interact with and engage tech-savvy prospective students, they can’t afford not to jump on the social media bandwagon.

But What About Grades?
In case you’re worried about spending too much time online and neglecting your studies, you can probably relax. According to a study conducted at the University of New Hampshire, there is no correlation between grades and the amount of time students spend using social media and mobile devices.

So, go ahead and download some apps and be active on your social network. It may just be the key to staying organized and on budget.

____

This guest post was provided by University Alliance and submitted on behalf of University of San Francisco.  USF offers online marketing certificate courses including SEO training, search engine marketing, social media training, mobile marketing and more.  To learn more about University of San Francisco’s certificate programs visit www.usanfranonline.com.

Are you a college student trying to balance so many things on your plate that some are about to fall off? If so, you probably wonder how you are supposed to stay on top of everything without going insane. Help is on the way. Check out these free iPhone apps. Their usefulness may surprise you.

Use these local guide apps to learn all there is to know about your college town:

1. Free Wi-Fi Finder

Since Internet access is a necessity for college students, it’s good be able to get online whenever you need to. Thanks to this Wi-Fi Finder app, you can find an Internet hotspot wherever you are.

2. FastFood – Top Restaurant finder app

Are you having problems deciding where to eat? With FastFood, in mere seconds you can find the best restaurants in your area. The app even includes restaurant reviews for when you can’t decide among all your newfound options.

3. Take Me Home, I’m Lost!

If you’re new in town, then this app is a must-have. Since it stores your home address, whenever you get lost while driving, simply select the app and it will guide you home. This app also allows you to listen to your own music while using it. You’ll be able to rock out to some good jams while you find your way.

4. RepairPal

The RepairPal app is a must-have. Should your car break down or suffer another type of roadside emergency, this app will prove to be a lifesaver. Using GPS, it will provide a list of nearby repair shops and towing services. No driver, including students who make frequent trips to and from home, should be without this app.

Stay in shape with these free health and fitness apps:

5. Restaurant Nutrition

Created by Foundation Healthcare Network, this app provides more than enough information to make healthier food choices, no matter where you eat. Restaurant Nutrition has far too many helpful features to list here, so please download it and check it out for yourself.

6. Cures A-Z

Developed by a doctor, this app provides an extensive list of health conditions and their corresponding treatments. While Cures A-Z is not meant to serve in place of a visit to the infirmary or your doctor, should a less-than-serious condition, such as a cold or flu, arise, it can help you figure out the best way to treat your symptoms until you can be seen. Think of this app as your “pocket doc.”

Use your mobile phone to search Internet job postings:

7. Job Search

Are you about to graduate and struggling to find a job? Maybe you need something part time to pay for pizza and beer. Try this app, known for its inclusion of Indeed.com, one of the most exhaustive job search engines available. Let’s say you are interested in jobs in criminal justice. Type your inquiry into the app’s search engine and let it go to work finding you work.

It will browse through thousands of company websites and job boards to produce an extensive list of criminal-justice-related postings that meet your search criteria. With Job Search, you can preview the postings on the spot or choose to email them to yourself to review later.

Criminal Justice Blog offers tips, advice and school match services for those entering college life.

Regardless of whether you are a high school senior looking to obtain suitable training and education before entering the workforce, or an adult who is currently employed but wants to train for a better job, this primer on school grants will hold you in good stead.

With that said, let’s not waste any more time; here are the top 10 questions every student should ask about school grants…

1. What are school grants, exactly? They are essentially gifts of money provided to students who can demonstrate financial need or academic abilities. Unlike student loans, school grants are “free” money and do not need to be paid back. Grants are also rarely provided with any expectation of performance, as scholarships often are (a student can lose his or her scholarship if he or she does not maintain a certain academic standing).

2. What’s the difference between a grant, a scholarship and a loan? Grants do not need to be paid back, loans do, and although scholarships do not need to be paid back, they may be conditional on ongoing academic performance.

3. Who offers scholarships? Normally these are offered by federal and state governments, private foundations and educational institutions.

4. Why do governments fund grants? Aren’t grants a drain on the treasury? No… an educated populace saves the government money (skilled people are more likely to find work and less likely to require social assistance) plus they earn more over the course of their lifetimes, contributing to the government’s treasury via an increased tax load. By funding school grants the government is making an investment in its citizens, knowing full well that in the long term, this is an investment that earns them a very decent return.

5. Who can apply for grants? Usually, any person with legal citizenship status is able to apply.

6. What determines eligibility? If you’re a “mature” student currently in the workforce looking to train for a new job, it will be dependent on your current salary. For high school students, it will be dependent on your family’s income.

7. How do I apply for grants? The main federal grants, known as Pell grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) can be applied for by submitting a Federal Application for Student Aid form. This form can be obtained and submitted online (at www.fafsa.ed.gov), or you can obtain it from your high school, as well as local colleges, universities, vocational and technical schools. For grants offered by specific institutions and private foundations, you will need to contact them directly for specific instructions.

8.  How long before I know whether I’ve been approved? After applying for a federal grant via the Federal Application for Student Aid form you can expect to receive a Student Aid Report within a few days to a few weeks, depending on whether you submit the form online or send it in via regular mail.

9. What is the difference between Pell grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants? The FSEOG only covers a portion of your costs (75%) and expects you to cover the rest.

10.  I think my salary (or my family’s salary) may disqualify me from receiving a grant. Should I apply anyway? Absolutely. It costs nothing to apply, and the worst that is going to happen is that you do not get approved. It’s definitely worth the small investment of time on your part to submit an application.

And there you have it; 10 questions every student should ask about school grants!

Mike Clarke is a blogger, author, and contributor to SchoolGrantsBlog.com; the web`s premier destination for all things related to school and college grants and scholarships!