| Your financial aid check is here - you can go to | | | | Textbooks, of course, but you'll need paper supplies |
| college! But what do you do with the leftover | | | | for the printer, for your binders, and a few of the |
| money, after tuition is paid? You can use for other | | | | other things students carry, calculators, computers, |
| expenses, college related one. I'll show you five. | | | | maybe a few more pieces of technology. You won't |
| Get Registered and Cover Tuition | | | | buy the whole store, but some of that financial aid |
| Financial aid you receive always has to go for direct | | | | will have to go for all these items. |
| college costs first, like tuition. But that makes sense, | | | | 4. Transportation |
| since it is to go to school. After you handle those | | | | To and from class requires a ride - a bus, a train, a |
| expenses, you have several approved ways to use | | | | bike, a car. Somehow you'll get to class every day, |
| the money you have received for school. | | | | and the money for it can come from your financial |
| I looked it up and found that most universities offer | | | | aid package. Hey, don't go crazy and buy a full-size |
| an explanation of the the basics of what you can use | | | | pickup with a hitch and a winch - or a Mercedes |
| your Pell grant or other financial aid money for. | | | | C-class. You can use some of your money for |
| University of Oregon provided great budgeting | | | | reasonable transportation to commute. If you can |
| information. Let's get started. | | | | wait for a car, you'll be in less debt. If not, try to find |
| 1. Your Place | | | | a less expensive one. You have to go to school, so |
| Everybody needs a place to live. Your housing costs | | | | you get to spend some money on it. |
| always qualify, because everyone needs a place to | | | | 5. The Last Category |
| stay. You'll also have to pay for everything that goes | | | | The four categories above handle many of your |
| along with it, like utilities. Costs in this category will | | | | basic expense, with one other major category left |
| include heat, power, water/trash, internet (a | | | | out. The last category includes many expenses you |
| necessity these days), telephone, and satellite or | | | | will have on a regular basis, to get your through the |
| cable. | | | | week. |
| And mortgage payments count, not just rent. You | | | | The expenses in this category: day to day living |
| can use your financial aid to make mortgage | | | | expenses. You know, a latte, a bagel with cream |
| payments, even more so for nontraditional students | | | | cheese, a sub sandwich, or maybe new shoes. Paying |
| over 25, or if you own and rent to roommates. Just | | | | for your daily food and other living costs fill out |
| an idea that could help you get ahead on your future. | | | | another approved set of expenses. But don't eat out |
| 2. Medical, Dental, Vision and the like | | | | every meal, and watch the prices on those new |
| Yes! Doctor bills: medical, dental, optical, disability and | | | | clothes. If you ever need to get a bit more financial |
| what you need to stay healthy. You know what else, | | | | aid later in the year, but you've put out $1000 per |
| your expenses for health insurance comes under the | | | | month on clothes just for you, you may have a |
| same heading. Paying for dental work and | | | | difficult time adding to your loan. Or you'll just have a |
| prescriptions, health care you need you can pay for | | | | ton of debt, a problem in itself. |
| with financial aid. To get to class, you have to be | | | | Enjoy school, and try to keep expenses down. But |
| healthy. But pay tuition first. | | | | know that if you have financial aid money after |
| 3. Class Supplies | | | | tuition, you can still use if for basic school expenses. |
| When you go to college, you need things. | | | | And finish. It's worth it. |