STARTING COLLEGE
Congrats! You are now ready for college. Use the summer to get ready and finalize your financial aid needs. Good luck
TIP: You may need extra money to help pay the cost. Bookmark our "private student loan" area in the event you need extra money to pay tuition, housing, other.
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Checklist for the Summer Months Before College
Financial
Cost Review
enter estimated figures for each
category
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Getting
Ready for School
School
Registration:
Your college should notify you on important
registration dates and requirements for
first-time students. In you haven't
received anything, or need clarification
on some items, check with your college admissions
office:
Class
Registration:
Many colleges have online
or mail-in class registration. Check
your class requirements.
Some colleges may allow credit
for online courses sponsored by other colleges. This will give you the flexibility to arrange
your schedule. Again, check with your admission's
office:
Packing
Up:
Get ready. You need to "make-your-home"
away from home. That
means packing and gathering a few things.
Getting
There:
You need to arrange
your move to college. Will you be
driving, taking the train or bus, or flying?
Need to make those important travel arrangements:
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Managing Your Money
There will be a lot of money that will be changing hands over the next year. The question is how best to manage your money.
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Many banks offer FREE student checking accounts. Use your checking account for ATM access and check writing such as paying tuition and monthly rent.
checking account
tips for students
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Whenever possible, use your credit card to pay for everything else. Many merchants will not accept student checks, so your credit card will be necessary (avoid carrying cash).
Make sure you budget your college expenses. You want to avoid having to borrow more money to finish the year. Download FREE our college budgeting worksheet
view our discussion on budgeting
Credit Card Use 101:
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you will be targeted
by credit card companies on the "EASE"
of using and having your own credit card.
Think about it! Your
own personal card to buy pizza, clothes, gas, music — you name it
— without having to pawn money from
your parents.
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The credit card charges will come due
in about 25 days. And if you are like
most students, you won't have have enough
money to pay your credit card off.
Simply pay
the minimum payment (which will be very
low) and continue using your card as you like.
- — they want to keep you paying that
low minimum payment from
month-to-month.
By paying just the minimum payment each
month, it will take
you about 23 years to pay off your by
credit card balance
Being
Smart About Credit Card Use:
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Building Credit:
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Buy School Supplies
Find
a Computer
Most schools require the
use of a computer. How about getting your
own:
School . . . transportation . . . computers
. . . supplies . . . make sure you and your
parents review all possible options:
Find
College Books
Every College requires books. Buy
them online:
Buy
College Supplies
Besides books, you may need some study
/ personal space supplies:
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| Achieving
Success
Time to get serious and set
some personal achievement goals. Try this helpful plan:
We've got a
great party package that will make
your party a "spooky" smash:
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