PennLive.com
8.3.15 | Morganne Mallon
The trope of the "broke college student" living on Ramen noodles and begging mom and dad for an allowance again doesn't have to be a reality. With a little planning, students can save themselves from a financial headache and a sodium-filled diet. Check out these tips on saving money as you head off to campus:
Don't fall into the trap of buying brand new textbooks.
Most textbooks can be rented or bought used for cheaper prices at either the school bookstore or online at websites such as Amazon or Chegg.
Although walking into class on the first day sans books might make you feel unprepared, it is best to wait until after the first day of each class to make any purchases. Your professor might tell you that a certain book on the syllabus won't actually be used, or you might even decide you don't like the class and want to transfer into another one with a different reading list.
Apply for as many scholarships as possible.
You don't have to rely on financial aid and scholarships solely from your school. Scholarships on a local and national level are offered year-round and can be found at websites such as fastweb.com, scholarships.com, College Board and the U.S. Department of Labor's scholarship tool. But also be careful to avoid potential scams.
Take advantage of free and discounted services.
Universities offer plenty of these, whether it's free sports games and concerts, a large collection of DVD rentals from the library or pizza nights in your residence hall.
