Manage College Costs
Survive on a Student Budget
In college, it can seem like there are a hundred things competing for your money. Here are a few ways to save money on-campus.
- Review the Simple Ways to Cut Costs section It includes a list of free and discounted services for DePaul students.
- Create a budget. A budget allows you to get the most out of your money and frees you up to achieve the things you want.
- Buy used textbooks. You're just going to sell them back at the end of the quarter - why buy new textbooks? Or, consider sharing or swapping books with friends in your major.
- Live without a car. Gas, maintenance, insurance, registration, and parking fees add up quickly. Use your U-Pass to ride the CTA or, if you have to drive find a friend to carpool with you.
- Take advantage of campus activities. Student Life, the DePaul Activities Board, and other on-campus organizations are always sponsoring free or low-cost activities for DePaul students. Check out a free DePaul basketball game or go to a Theatre School production.
- Put your student ID to good use. Movie theaters, museums, and restaurants around Chicago all offer discounts to students. Show your ID and save some cash!
- Assess your living situation. Should you live at home? Split costs with a couple of roommates? Run some numbers and figure out the most cost effective situation for you.
- Consider becoming a Resident Advisor. Housing is included as a perk of the job.
- Review the 118 Ways to Save Money in College. This site offers tons of tips for saving money!
Take the Quiz-
Graduating students have an average of $20,402 in combined education loan and credit card balances.
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Students double their average credit card debt-and triple the number of credit cards in their wallets-from the time they arrive on campus until graduation.
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University administrators state that they lose more students to credit card debt than to academic failure.
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Students double their average credit card debt-and triple the number of credit cards in their wallets-from the time they arrive on campus until graduation.
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Persons entering college are offered an average of 8 credit cards the first week of school.
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55% of college students acquire their first credit card during their first year of college, and 83% of college students have at least one credit card.
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45% of college students are in credit card debt, the average credit card debt being $3,066.
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Undergraduates students carry an average of three credit cards.
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66% of Americans don't pay off their entire credit card bill each month.
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20% of graduating college students have $10,000 or more in non-school related credit card debt.