| Class start this week for almost all universities and | | | | you really don't need nor can afford. Your best option |
| community colleges across the country. Student begin | | | | is to use a pre-paid card to pay student expenses. |
| the Fall semester with assigned course materials and | | | | Pre-paid cards works just like credit cards; they are |
| books. It's an exciting time for students; but it can also | | | | accepted at merchant locations that take major credit |
| be a stressful time to get accustomed to the rigorous | | | | cards. The advantage of pre-paid cards is that you |
| schedule and to make final payments for tuition, | | | | load a budgeted amount onto your card. This forces |
| housing, and other education needs. | | | | you to spend only for amounts that has been loaded |
| Key College Calendar Events for September and | | | | for the week or the month. The card can help you |
| October | | | | stay within budget. |
| Tuition Statements are Due | | | | Work Hard to Build Success |
| Colleges will require full payment for the semester | | | | You are going to school for a reason: to graduate with |
| tuition. These tuition statements may include housing | | | | honors so that you can start a great career. That |
| and other related fees. Tuition payments are due prior | | | | sounds good, but it takes more than just attending |
| to start of classes, but some schools may give you a | | | | school. You need to shape a character that wants |
| grace period of 2-3 weeks to make full payment. If | | | | and can achieve success. |
| you fail to make payment, you will not receive credit | | | | There are 3 important ingredients of success: |
| for your class attendance. | | | | |
| Your tuition payment will be reduced by the amount of | | | | 1. You need to plan for success. This requires setting |
| aid awarded. Any gap between the amount awarded | | | | goals and planning steps. For example, graduating from |
| and amount due is up to the student to pay. | | | | college in is a goal. Now what is the plan to achieve |
| (note: can be used to close the financial aid gap | | | | that feat: |
| between the full cost of education and the amount of | | | | 2. - register for the required courses for your selected |
| financial aid received) | | | | degree |
| Budgeting Your Expenses | | | | 3. - develop a study plan |
| College is not cheap. You have tuition, housing, food, | | | | 4. - get good grades |
| books, classroom supplies, transportation, laptop | | | | 5. - other plans for helping to achieve your degree. |
| computer, and other related education expenses. And | | | | 6. You need to build discipline in order to achieve your |
| then there are the weekends and other activities that | | | | goal plan. Anybody can develop a goal. But it is only a |
| make college fun. | | | | few who can actually achieve it. Those who achieve |
| You need to plan and budget how much money you | | | | are disciplined in their actions needed to achieve the |
| will need by month. This requires an analysis of your | | | | goal. Discipline includes physical, mental, social and |
| academic and outside activities, including costs for | | | | spiritual disciplines. Strengthening each of these |
| housing, food and transportation. | | | | attributes build the motivation and strength to achieve |
| Use a college budgeting worksheet to design your | | | | any goal. |
| spending plan by month. It will keep a tab on your | | | | 7. You need to execute your plan by scheduling and |
| financial aid needs so that you have enough money to | | | | completing the tasks required to achieve your goal. |
| finish the school year. | | | | This requires you to build scheduling techniques, time |
| Managing Student Spend | | | | management, and other organizational skills to achieve |
| Students need to manage their daily spend to avoid | | | | your tasks within a timely manner. The three |
| getting into debt. You may want to avoid having your | | | | ingredients - planning - discipline - execution - can help |
| own credit card since it can be tempting to buy things | | | | you succeed in college and in your career. |