Your days at college provide a wonderful opportunity to both deepen your academic knowledge and have new social experiences. However, with the chance to expand your horizons comes additional costs to consider, which you’ll need to navigate in order to get the most out of your time in higher education.
Most students will use their earnings from a part-time job, their savings, or a federal or private loan to cover the costs associated with their course. However, sometimes this simply isn’t enough, and you may still find yourself short at the end of each month. Establishing healthy habits with money can help your budget to stretch that much further. But for most students, college will be the first time in their lives they’ve had this level of financial independence – so it’s important to know where and how to get support if you feel overwhelmed.
Whether you’re about to start your course or are already studying, there are options to consider if you’re struggling financially at college.
Speak to your student support service
Your institution will have a service available for you to contact if you need additional support with any aspect of college life. This includes financial difficulties, and by sharing your concerns, you may be able to make an arrangement with your college.
For example, some colleges allow their students to delay their payments or break down a bulk payment into small chunks for a more manageable way to pay their fees. Student services are there to support you, so by being honest with them about your financial situation, you should be able to come to a solution that works for you.
Look into alternative funding options
Some students will be eligible for alternative types of financial aid, for example, if they have a recognized disability that affects their studies, or if they are a military family member. It’ll usually be certain scholarships or grants they can apply for.
Check with your college or the relevant support services if you think you might be eligible for additional funding. It can be helpful to communicate whether or not you need specific equipment or resources to support you in your studies, such as assistive technology, as your college may be able to help you cover these costs.
Utilize flexible study options
You don’t have to study at college full time if you’re struggling to meet the demands of doing so. Most colleges allow you to attend part time or even remotely, allowing you to work while you complete your studies.
Similarly, a part-time course allows you to spread your course payments over a longer period of time, helping to alleviate some of the pressure to meet short deadlines.
Find a solution that works for you
College is expensive, so you should never feel reluctant to seek support if you find yourself struggling financially. By communicating with your college, and looking into your options for additional funding and flexible study, you should be able to find a solution that works for you, and allows you to get the most out of your experience in higher education without having to worry about your finances.