How To Not Be Broke In College

Throughout my two years at Cal Land Fullerton (2018 and 2019), I lived a lifestyle that higher students would consider luxurious or "lucky." I didn't have to work a traditional job.

I traveled to cities like Indian Wells, Palm Springs, and New York, where the Taco Bong Foundation invited me to exist function of a franchisee forum, and where I attended a desert popular-up effect and an entrepreneurial conference.

I lived in the most expensive apartments on campus, the single apartments.

Plus, I had access to Gastronome's seven-day meal plan.

Nevertheless, all of this didn't happen considering my parents paid my manner through higher.

No, I put in the piece of work. I read personal finance books, I saved, I networked, I submitted scholarship applications, and I attended an affordable university.

Thus, I desire to share with you how I did information technology. Top Ramen diet? I couldn't relate.

1. Go to an affordable college

In community higher, I had my mind fix on pursuing a Bachelor's degree in my hometown, Cal State Bakersfield.

However, my interpersonal advice instructor said it wouldn't be impressive if I obtained a journalism degree from Cal State Bakersfield.

She is credible, and then I took her advice.

However, I felt surprised because I never idea I'd be one of the students who would exit their hometown to further their education, mainly because I spent all my life in Bakersfield.

Therefore, I did my research. In community college, I became interested in personal finance, specifically on living debt-free.

Hi, Dave Ramsey!

Thus, if I was going to reach higher for my caste in another city, I needed to effigy out how to pay for higher without student loans.

I made it a huge goal of mine to graduate debt-free.

Dec. 15, 2017, 11:14 AM — December. 15, 2017, xi:fourteen AM

To practise that, I needed to transfer to an affordable university.

I chose Cal State Fullerton, a public 4-yr college for in-state students.

My mother did non earn enough money to help me pay for college, which is fine because I chose to go to college.

It was up to me to detect ways to pay for educational expenses.

I knew I had a much ameliorate chance of achieving my fiscal goal if I didn't attend an out-of-state public college or a private four-year higher.

I made the right choice by going to Cal State Fullerton because, in total, my degree cost $46,496.44, and the scholarships & grants I earned equaled $77,305.

Consequently, I achieved my fiscal goal.

I paid for a degree in cash without the help of pupil loans.

ii. Apply for Scholarships and Grants

Without these two, I would not have transferred to Cal Land Fullerton considering I would have had to take out pupil loans.

When I applied for customs college, I filled out the Financial Aid awarding, and I continued to exercise then until my four years as a higher pupil ended.

However, I didn't rely on Cal Grants and Pell Grants to cover all of my educational expenses.

Thus, I applied for scholarships. I earned $viii,000 in scholarships before transferring to Cal State Fullerton.

Dec. 15, 2017, 11:08 AM — Dec. 15, 2017, xi:08 AM

This accomplishment fired me upward, then I turned scholarship applying into a side hustle.

A Bachelor'southward Degree can cost more than $40,000, so I knew I couldn't finish submitting scholarship applications after a few wins.

Shoot! My caste, including tuition and housing fees, price $46,496.44.

And that is non including stationary, dorm room supplies, transportation, and fast-nutrient.

Also, I was only at Cal State Fullerton for ii years. Imagine I entered as a commencement-yr. $88,000+? No, thanks!

What helped me experience motivated to apply for scholarships was telling myself, "I am against student loans.

If I have to borrow coin to further my education, I'll terminate going to college. I'll work, utilise for scholarships, and save until I take enough coin to go back."

To me, taking out a educatee loan for a degree isn't worth information technology considering there are so many resources like grants, scholarships, and programs that can assist students graduate debt-free.

Thus, why would I not accept advantage? Considering I'm scared I won't win, I won't go accepted, or I am likewise lazy to employ.

Well, those are bullshit excuses that would not have landed me free money but would have landed me a massive bill later on my graduation ceremony.

FYI, I already received my degree in the post, so I won't be attention my graduation ceremony.

But, I still want my photoshoot.

""Taking out a student loan for a caste isn't worth it because in that location are so many resources like grants, scholarships, and programs that tin can assistance students graduate debt-complimentary.""

— Christian Aguilar

3. Save, save, salve

Considering I prioritized saving, information technology helped me graduate on time.

For instance, in my semi-concluding semester (Spring 2019) at Fullerton, I owed $4,636.28. I didn't earn whatever scholarships at that time because scholarships are ordinarily awarded in the fall.

The grants I received covered tuition fees, but not housing. Thus, I paid out of pocket.

Jan. 22, 2019, 12:37 PM — January. 22, 2019, 12:37 PM

More than $four,000 is a lot for a typical higher educatee to take stored in their savings.

However, in 2018, I earned $34,126.00 in scholarships and grants.

College is expensive and surprises you with charges.

Anytime Cal State Fullerton reimbursed me extra coin afterwards my scholarships and grants covered the semester costs, I placed most of the cash I earned in my savings for educational emergencies.

If I had spent the $4,636.28, I would not accept been able to afford my Spring 2019 semester, which meant I would have had to accept a student loan.

Withal, I'yard against student loans, and then I would have had to either take a break or enroll in online courses.

Trust me, debt isn't worth the latest iPhone, that Disney annual pass, or the Coachella ticket.

On some existent shit, the only thing y'all need to bring with you lot to college is money.

Before yous bring your laptop, fairy lights, and drinking games, make sure y'all have cash on you considering you lot're going to get charged for everything: printing, laundry, transportation, parking, textbooks.

And if you lot don't take any coin on you, you need to acquire how to prioritize saving, or you're most likely attending a university you can't beget. No difficult feelings, only facts.

""On some real shit, the only thing you need to bring with you to college is money.""

— Christian Aguilar

At that place you accept information technology. At present you know the steps of how not to exist a broke college student.

I could have added more tips such every bit attend community college, use credit cards responsibly, and buy what you can beget.

Even so, I felt these iii needed the most light.

If you lot, besides, want to live the luxurious (gratuitous of financial worry) lifestyle I lived in college, you take to put in the piece of work, and y'all have to want it.

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