If you are a foreign exchange student or want to be, you’re exactly the type of student that Student-Grants.eu was designed for. To apply you must be planning to study abroad, work at an internship abroad, or attend summer school abroad. Application deadlines are four times a year, and you must apply no later than one week prior to Jan. 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Start early and apply each quarter prior to your travel date for the best chance of winning.

The application can be completed online at http://www.student-grants.eu., and the winner is selected at random from the pool of eligible applicants.

If you’re planning to study abroad, don’t let this chance to get your housing paid for pass you buy. Free money is good. Go get some!

Even when great airfares are available, finding a place to stay in a foreign country can be expensive. That’s why we are really excited about CasaSwap.com, an awesome website that can hook you up with a room, apartment or house, find you a roommate if you need one, and even help you find someone to stay in your own place while you’re gone.

CasaSwap.com is a free international housing network. Members can find accommodations from other members all over the world, and the site gives you the ability to swap your room, find a room, or even find a place with a fellow student roommate wherever you want to go.

The site was designed with students on tight budgets in mind. It’s a perfect way to find that missing piece of the puzzle that allows you to fulfill your dream of traveling or studying in a foreign land. It also provides students with a way to sublet their own accommodations over a summer or semester, and even provides a way to swap houses or apartments for quick trips, like a spring break

Check out the site at http://www.casaswap.com , become a member, and get ready to pack your bags for exciting travel opportunities all over the world!

When you first start looking at apartments, you’ll think about the size, the look and the proximity to your work and the university—all things you should be thinking about.

But selecting an apartment doesn’t stop at aesthetics and the convenience of your locale. Your selection should also be determined on the expenses involved in renting—and we’re not just talking rent.

Your share of the rent

Okay, we’re definitely, first and foremost, talking about the rent. If you’re living in a student apartment off campus, you’ll have to plan on rent that typically costs from $475 per month for a one bedroom all the way up to the $1000s for two or more bedrooms. If you can barely afford your share of the rent, you’re going to find that your other expenses put you in the hole.

Your grocery bill

You probably wouldn’t think about this expense when you’re renting an apartment but the cost of your groceries will greatly affect what you can and what you can’t do while living on your own. Groceries, by the way, do not only include food—you also have to think about your soap, dish soap, garbage bags, cleaning supplies and the myriad other items you’ll need to get by.

Utilities

Most apartments cover water and sewage, but you’ll usually have to pay for electricity, gas (one of these first two will include your heating and air conditioning) and the telephone. These bills aren’t cheap and the more people you live with, the more costly they will become (more people = more usage).

Cable & Internet

If you’re lucky, you’ll end up in an apartment complex that pays for some form of cable television, but you may not find one that offers internet, and if you want more features on your cable, you’re still responsible for that. You should look around and see if you can find a complex that offers one or both as an amenity so you can check it off your list.

Other expenses

Depending on where you live, you’ll want to invest in pest control and if you have pets you’ll be bringing along, you have to plan on paying extra rent. If you don’t have a gym, you’ll be paying for a gym membership and don’t forget all of the general expenses that come with moving—buying furniture, paying to move all of your stuff, your security deposit for the apartment, buying dishes, light bulbs and everything else you’ll need to start off life on your own.

Moving out on your own can be one of the greatest experiences of your life but it can also be one of the most challenging. Plan ahead to keep your budget in line and it will be one less thing you have to worry about as you head towards graduation.

You’ve spent a lot of time saving money for college and now that you’ve paid for books and tuition, you’re back in the red.

Not to worry! It’s not like you’re the first college student to experience Empty Wallet Syndrome. We’ve already covered watching your cell plan minutes, shopping the clearance rack, failing classes, eating (and drinking) at home and buying used books, but it’s important for you to know that there are still dozens of other ways you can save money while you’re scraping your way through college. Here are a few more to keep you going.

Weed out the waste

One of the biggest mistakes a lot of college students make (self-professed, over here) is keeping subscriptions, buying software and keeping memberships that take valuable money and provide little in return. The truth is that many softwares are available at little to no cost and work just as well as their costly brand-name friends. With subscriptions and memberships, ask yourself, “When was the last time I read National Geographic? When was the last time I went tanning or to the gym? When was the last time I watched a movie that came from Blockbuster online?” If you can’t remember the answer, it’s time to cancel and save yourself a few bucks.

Get a savings account

Understandably, it’s difficult for a college student to keep a savings account, let alone pay the bills or…eat. If you put $5 a month into a savings account, that’s $60 plus interest each year that you can count on when the electric bill is due and you decided to buy a new pair of shoes instead. If you take out a student loan and have money left over, use that money to start your savings account instead of spending it right away—it’s an easy way to build a barrier between you and being broke.

Get a job

This sounds weird, right? Like you wouldn’t have thought of that before. Chances are, though, mom and dad are helping out to some degree and will continue to help out whether you have a job or not. Getting a job can help you earn a little extra money in addition to any scholarships, loans or other assistance you’re getting from mom and dad.

Learn to budget

Sure, this sounds like a worn-out recording of your favorite song (oh, whoa whoa whoa…if you like piña coladas…) but the truth is that you do need to learn how to budget for clothes, groceries and other expenses that don’t count in rent and the bills. If you make a list of your expenses, you’ll know how much you need to save every month and how much you can spend after all the bills are paid…and that can mean a few extra piña coladas.

Remember, you don’t have to stretch every penny while you’re in college—this is supposed to be the time of your life. But you don’t want to come out of the time of your life with debt for life. With everything that’s coming to you at the end of your college years, it’s better to budget than to “bug out” about bills.

So…you moved out of the house, into your own student apartment and now…you have to do all the things your mom did for you—cook, clean, do the laundry, make the bed, pay the bills, etc., etc., etc. Kind of makes you wish you had a maid, doesn’t it?

(Or maybe you just coerce your mom to come visit every other week…) By the time you graduate college (and believe it or not, the day actually will come, however far off it may seem!), you’ll not only have the smarts and the diploma to help you win your dream job, but you’ll also have valuable life skills, including the ability to budget. So what can you do to save money without becoming a nomad?

Watch your minutes

With the way things are today, you’ll have a cell phone and not a landline (don’t know what that is? That’s okay…you’ll live). The stupidest thing you can do with a cell phone is go over the minutes. Most cell plans charge over 40 cents per minute for every minute you go over. Watch your minutes and talk to your friends online or in person. You can also try Skype’s online phone service or a pay-as-you-go phone plan.

Buy used books

Deal with someone else’s notes all semester? Never! Besides, you’ll get more money back for new books than used books, right? Wrong. The truth is that used books cost up to 50% less than new books and most used books won’t be as big of a disaster as you think. Buying used text books can save you hundreds of dollars over the long run, especially if you lose, destroy or decide to keep a few of your books.

Learn to love clearance

When you lived at home and everything was on mom and dad’s dime, you probably didn’t think twice about that $50 shirt. But take a reality check and don’t bounce it, okay? Fifty dollars can buy two weeks of groceries or six movie tickets (for now at least). Now here’s two big secrets: a) you can actually live without it and b) you can head over to the clearance rack and find something comparable for half (or less) the price. And yes, one more secret: no one will ever know the difference.

Eat and drink…in

If you wait until you get to the club to buy your drinks, you’ve never experienced the true college experience of pre-partying. Not only do you get to start drinking earlier, it’s cheaper—chances are, if you pay $8.50 for that Appletini at the local bar, you can make one twice the size at home for less than a buck. And the same is true of fast food—except for the fast part, you can make better-tasting, cheaper, better-for-you food at home than you will ever find in the dive down the street.

Don’t flunk your classes

So everyone tells you not to flunk out of your classes because you’ll ruin your future. Instead of focusing on your future, focus on the past—you already paid for that class. And if you flunk or drop out, your future will include paying for it again.
While this list isn’t a comprehensive look at the ways a college student can save (or waste) money, it’s a great start to keeping you on the road to graduation without having to first wait in the pay day advance line. Who knows, you might also be able to afford a copy of your diploma with the dimes and pennies you pick up along the way.

Living on your own creates a whole new set of expenses you’ve never had to deal with before—buying a laptop, paying bills, making rent, getting groceries—the list goes on and on.

And while you’re going to college, getting a full-time job that pays enough to help you squeak by every month may not be as easy as it seems. The temptation to get a credit card may be overwhelming at times, especially when card companies are targeting college students and single renters in bulk. Before you sign away your life to a credit card company, prepare yourself with the following safety measures.

Limit your card’s use

When you lived at home, your parents encouraged you to save money, no doubt. Now that they’re unavailable to pester you, you might be tempted to use your credit card to pay for a trip to Sweden for Spring Break or just to pay the rent so you can use your money to impress the hottie next door with some new gear and a fresh look. Never forget that every purchase incurs interest and if you’re not careful, your card could end up costing you double or triple what you spent. If you’re set on having a credit card, it’s best to limit use to emergencies only. Fashion emergencies do not count.

Request a low spending limit

The best way to keep yourself out of trouble is to request a low spending limit. Most credit card companies will let you go as low as $1000 or $500, but not all. By keeping your spending limit low, you keep your monthly minimum payments low and avoid delinquent payments that ding your credit and make it harder to get, say…an apartment, or a new car.

Know who and what is affected

Having a credit card affects…your credit. If you paid attention in Finance 101, you know that your credit affects your ability to get loans (such as student loans), apartments, a car and, sometimes, even a job. Some property groups run a mandatory credit check once per year to make sure you can still afford your place. And don’t forget, if mom or dad co-signed your credit card, their credit may also be affected by your purchases and payments.

Make your payment the day the bill arrives, not the day it’s due

Why is this so important? By making your credit card payment the day it arrives you ensure you have the money to pay the bill and that it’s paid on time—credit cards don’t give a grace period like apartment managers do.
Getting your own apartment and your own credit card to go with it may seem like a fantastic idea, and it could be the way to start growing your credit and building your financial status and life. But remember to keep the consequences in mind, so you don’t end up with poor credit, no car and no apartment to live in.

Whether you’re a first-year college student or a veteran, a parent or a grandparent, when it comes to saving money for college, there’s nothing you’d like better than to transform into Bonnie & Clyde or George Clooney and company in Ocean’s Eleven.

But since bank robberies are exceedingly more difficult to pull off these days (and, ummm…illegal), here are some better ways to save for college and make living and learning more possible for your student.

Pull out the piggy banks and change jars

One of the easiest ways to save a little extra cash on the side for college is to pull out the change jars and piggy banks. Make a household rule that $1 bills and all change must go in the jars at the end of each day. Some people have saved as much as $30,000 over 15 years just by throwing loose change in a jar everyday and then putting the money in an IRA.

Get a Roth IRA

A Roth IRA has an annual contribution limit of $5,000. However, both you and your student are allowed to have a Roth IRA of your own. There may be taxes and penalties involved, so perform due diligence before opening this account.

Open a 529 student savings plan

A 529 Plan is one of the most popular options when saving money for college. You can purchase these from a broker or direct from the state and choose the investment options that best meet your needs. Plus, the parent/account holder keeps control of the money.

Get on board with a Prepaid Tuition plan

Many states offer Prepaid Tuition plans that allow you to lock in college tuition rates by paying months and even years in advance.

Apply for scholarships

This may sound like a no-brainer, but scholarships are not limited to individual colleges and universities. You can receive scholarships from local businesses, foundations and non-profits and for simple things such as (but not limited to) reading a book and writing an essay about it, having a parent/grandparent that is a Veteran of a Foreign War and writing poems or plays or even participating in community service. Check out FastWeb.com for a nationwide scholarship search and head to your local high school or community college guidance counselor for local scholarship information.

Get a job

If you’re the parent, you’ve probably already got this one covered. But if you’re the student, one of the best things you can do to save money for college is to get a job. Not only will you look better on college and scholarship applications but you’ll also earn some money to put into a savings account.

Open a high-return Money Market savings account

If you’re going to open a Money Market account, do it at a credit union where you’ll have credit union and government backing for your funds. Start automatic monthly deposits and let your account manage itself.

In today’s world, you don’t have to wonder whether or not your child will be aiming for a college education, but in today’s economy you might have to wonder whether or not you can afford it.

That’s what makes a 529 Plan a valuable asset for every parent whether your child is five months away from college or five years away. The top benefits of a 529 Plan are as follows.

The account remains in your control

Unlike some savings accounts that are designated to the beneficiary when they come of age (usually at 18), the 529 Plan will stay under your control, so you can determine when, where and how the funds are distributed, ensuring that the money lasts throughout your child’s educational process.

Tax benefits

A 529 Plan provides both state and federal tax benefits.

• State tax benefits. Many states offer tax deductions and other benefits for contributing to a 529 Plan. Check your state benefits at SavingforCollege.com.
• Federal tax benefits. While you can’t deduct your 529 from your federal taxes, your funds grow tax-deferred and all funds used to pay for tuition are distributed tax free.
• Additionally, you won’t have to report any contributions or earnings from your 529 until the year you make your first withdrawal.

529 Plans are available to everyone

No matter what your age or income, you can make contributions to a 529 Plan. The same is true of beneficiaries.

529 Plan limits are sky high

No matter where your beneficiary goes to school, you can contribute enough money for tuition—the limit is typically over $300,000.

529 Plans offer greater flexibility

If you need to move your 529 to another state, change the beneficiary or add or remove certain options, most 529 plans will allow you to do so within reason and without penalty.

Your 529 is anything but high maintenance

Unlike many other savings accounts, with a 529 you sign the enrollment application, set up direct deposit (if you wish), sit back and forget about it. You don’t need to manage your assets—the plan manager does it for you.

You can open a 529 Plan whenever you want

Most college savings plans have a specified enrollment year or period each year. 529 Plans are open for enrollment year round and you can open one for your child at any age.

529 Plans cover all allowable expenses tax free

Allowable expenses for college include tuition, books, room and board. Many other types of savings plans do not include room and board as allowable expenses.

While 529 Plans are available to everyone, regardless of age or income, they may not be right for everyone. Be sure to investigate all of your college savings plan options before selecting one for your student.

There are dozens of college savings plans to choose from, one of the most popular being 529 Plans. And while the traditional 529 does offer tax benefits, high limits and tax free distribution on the widest variety of allowable expenses, it is important to understand these downsides to the 529 Plan before investing your child’s college tuition money.

Non-eligible expenses are subject to tax

If you withdraw funds from your student’s 529 Plan and do not use it for eligible expenses (tuition, books, room and board) the funds will be subject to both income taxes and a 10% federal tax penalty.

Rolling over to another state may incur tax consequences

If your family moves or your student’s plan must be rolled over to another state while they are attending college, your 529 Plan may be subject to taxation in that other state. Be sure to read the requirements for the new state’s 529 Plans before you rollover.

Rolling over to another state may reduce your investment options

If you need to roll over your student’s plan to another state and you are a non-resident of that state, your 529 Plan may become limited and you may be forced to change your investment options as well as work through a broker rather than a state-managed program.

529 Plans may charge fees

Select your 529 Plan broker carefully as each may have different fees for enrollment, annual maintenance and asset management—these fees will all come out of your contributions. Fees may be different for each investment option and will vary from broker to broker. These fees may be reduced or waived if you meet certain criteria.

Choose your investment options wisely

If you purchase your 529 Plan through a broker you will likely be offered several different investment options, each with different fees, minimums, maximums and returns.

You can only change your investment options once per year

Although 529 Plans are hailed as the most flexible college savings plans, your ability to switch your investment options is strictly limited to once per year. If your investments are doing poorly, you may find this limitation rather annoying.

529 Plans DO affect financial aid eligibility

As of July 1, 2006 contributions made by a parent on a student’s behalf into a 529 Plan are considered part of the parent’s assets in determining financial aid eligibility and will be counted in the expected family contribution (EFC).

There is no guarantee

Just like stocks, 529 Plan investments have no state guarantee. Any contributions made to a 529 are subject to market risk—this means you run the risk of making zero profit or even losing some or all of the money you have invested in your child’s education.

Aside from the apparent risks involved in a 529 Plan, it is important to consider all of your options before deciding on a college savings plan for your student. Your considerations should include your financial abilities and your other savings goals.

If you are eager to save money for your child’s college education but don’t want to utilize a risky investment plan, you may want to consider a state-managed Prepaid Tuition program if your child’s school of choice is eligible.

Here are some of the key features of Prepaid Tuition programs.

Anyone can contribute funds to a Prepaid Tuition program

If your student is involved in a Prepaid Tuition program, anyone—including but not limited to you, your spouse, grandparents, cousins, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and the next-door neighbor—can contribute funds towards your child’s education.

Many Prepaid Tuition programs will pay towards both in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities

Any eligible state university or college can be paid using funds from a prepaid tuition program. These funds may also be used as a comparable payment to private or out-of-state institutions.

Contributions can be made in a lump sum or on monthly installments

You have the option to pay for college tuition in one lump sum or over monthly installments that will build up to the full amount over time.

Prepaid Tuition programs lock in college costs

If you purchase your Prepaid Tuition program today and your child goes to college four years from now, the tuition costs will remain what they are today. This is not true of 529 Plans and other college savings plans.

Prepaid Tuition programs cover tuition and other mandatory fees

Prepaid Tuition programs cover tuition expenses but usually not the cost of room and board.

Prepaid Tuition programs are backed by the state

If you elect to participate in a state-managed Prepaid Tuition program, the funds you contribute are backed by the state and you assume no risk.

Age/grade limitations are non-negotiable

Prepaid Tuition programs have age and grade limits for beneficiaries that are set individually by state and are non-negotiable. If your child is not within these limitations you will not be allowed to set up the account.

Either the account holder or the beneficiary must be a resident of the state

If your student elects to go to school out of state and neither of you is a resident, you will most likely not be allowed to use Prepaid Tuition program in that state. Prepaid Tuition programs are reserved almost entirely for residents of the state where the program is initiated.

Watch your enrollment deadlines

Most Prepaid Tuition programs have a limited enrollment period each year. If you miss the deadline you will have to wait until the following year, by which time, your student may have exceeded the age or grade limitations.

Prepaid Tuition programs are one of the least risky options when saving for your student’s college education. However, it is important to evaluate all of your options and decide which college savings program will best cover the costs of your student’s education and meet the immediate and future needs of your family.