Find affordable housing to live in. Living in the dorms or with a roommate is generally cheaper than living alone. But affordable housing does not necessarily mean living in a cheap, unsafe area of town. Living in a remote area of town might be more affordable, but living closer to campus can save you time and money on your commute to school.
Apply for scholarships and seek out Pell grants to reduce tuition costs. The application forms for a scholarship or Pell grant take only a few minutes to complete and can save you money on tuition costs.
Find a part time job that will provide some extra cash. Even working 6 to 10 hours a week can help pay the bills and reduce any debt. Money borrowed or charged as a student will accrue interest until the loan is paid off.
Walk or use public transportation to get around town. This way, you will avoid having to make car payments such as an auto loan, auto insurance, gas or parking fees. Often, schools will provide their students with a free bus pass, which is subsidized by your student fees.
Buy used textbooks instead of new. Many textbooks sold as used are still in good condition. You can save $40 to $60 on a textbook that has only been minimally used. Oftentimes, you can purchase an older edition of the textbook at a significant reduction in cost. Sometimes, the only difference between an old and current edition of the textbook might be newer photos or updated statistics that support the current year.
Use your school's computer lab instead of purchasing a laptop or paying for Internet costs. Student fees usually finance the cost of running your school's computer lab.
Eat in your school's cafeteria or shop at a grocery store for food. Eating in is much cheaper than going out to eat. Even though fast food can be a cheap option, it is not healthy and could possibly contribute to longterm health problems.