Back to school on a budget.

What I wore: Top, F21. Shorts, Express. Shoes, Walmart. Headband, F21. 

I'm thrilled to be starting graduate school in June. 

I've always been one of those people who genuinely loves school. I love the atmosphere of a college campus, I love the sense of starting fresh each semester and I love the way class discussions challenge my way of thinking.

What I don't particularly love is the expense of college.
For my undergraduate degree, I was lucky; the scholarships and grants I received kept me from going into debt while I earned my Bachelor's in English.

This time around, the cost of my degree is going to be a lot steeper. 

But I'm always looking for a way to be as thrifty as possible.
Here are my best tips for saving your pennies while paying for a college education:

1. Don't buy your books.
Textbooks cost a billion dollars and I was always so frustrated that at the end of the semester either no one was willing to buy them back or I got only 10% of what the book originally cost
when I'd hardly used it at all.
Getting to rent your books instead? Best. Idea. Ever.
Behold: CampusBookRentals.com.
They're super inexpensive (less than half the price of buying books), shipping is free both ways and they even donate a portion of their proceeds to Operation Smile.

2. Use what you're already paying for.

Chances are, you're paying for a lot of extra "fees" along with your tuition.
 At Mizzou there was a fee for printing included in our additional expenses, and every student was allowed a printing quota on campus each semester.
I printed EVERYTHING on campus, until I ran my print quota dry.
So make sure you're aware of what you're already paying for and get your money's worth! 

3. Apply for outside scholarships.
You're not just limited to the financial aid your school offers. Branch out! Check online for private scholarships you might qualify for, especially ones that are specific to your interests. So you're a state champion yodeler? Google search scholarships for yodelers. I bet you wouldn't have much competition in that field. Private scholarships may take more time and effort to apply for, but every little bit helps. 

4. Take advantage of "college student" specials.
Tons of businesses in college towns offer discounts to college students. Take advantage of these! (And not just the drink specials at bars). I've used my student ID to get discounts on oil changes, movie theater tickets, food and much more. As long as you have to shell out money for college, you might as well be reaping all the benefits of being a college student. 

5. If you can, take general classes online.
Universities charge a lot per credit hour and for many students,
the first two years are spent taking oodles of general education classes
(English 1000, College Algebra, American History, etc.).
If you can, take some of these classes online and you'll probably save quite a bit. Ryan was able to save time and moolah by taking his required economics class online through a community college while he had a full semester of engineering classes on Mizzou's campus. Just be sure the credits will transfer BEFORE you enroll in the class...because that would be awful to find out afterwards.