Saving money in college is way easier than you think it is. I am going to tell you all the real ways to save money in college because I know how expensive it is to live on your own while paying for college when you have so little time to get a job.
This blog post is all about tips and strategies to save money in college.
Tip #1: Avoid New Textbooks to Save Money in College
Most of us didn’t appreciate free textbooks in high school—until college hit us with $100+ book costs for a class that only lasts a few months.
From experience, I’ve learned that professors will sometimes list a textbook as “required” in the syllabus, but during the first week, they’ll admit it’s not actually needed. So I always wait before buying, just in case:
- The professor says the book is optional
- I drop or switch out of the class
Before spending any money, I always check to see if the textbook is available through free or open-access platforms. You’d be surprised what’s out there—sometimes professors upload the material themselves, or older editions are available legally online.
If I still can’t find what I need, I’ll:
- Ask peers who’ve taken the class before if they’re selling their book
- Check class group chats or Facebook groups—students are always trading or selling textbooks
- Look for used copies at the campus bookstore or on Amazon (just be careful—some used Amazon books show up looking like they’ve survived five semesters in a backpack)
- Split the cost with a trusted classmate if we’re comfortable sharing
Bottom line: Don’t rush to buy. There are almost always cheaper—and sometimes even free—ways to get what you need without draining your bank account.
Tip #2: Look into Working in Residential Life to Save Money in College
This varies by school, but most colleges offer free housing and a meal plan if you become a Residential Advisor (RA). At UCLA, where I went, that was definitely the case—and it’s a huge financial win.
An RA (sometimes called something else depending on your campus) is usually a sophomore or upperclassman who’s assigned to a dorm building or floor. Your job is to:
- Make sure community guidelines are followed
- Plan events
- Support residents and help build a sense of community
I wasn’t an RA myself, but I knew a lot of people who were. And while it’s a job, every single one of them was grateful not to worry about paying rent or meal plans. On top of that? They all had their own room in the dorms—something the rest of us envied big time. 😅
To put it in perspective:
- As of 2024, the starting cost of a single dorm room at UCLA is $15,793.56 per year
- Add a modest meal plan, and you’re looking at an additional ~$6,000/year
- That’s over $21,000 in savings, plus work experience for your résumé
Some of my friends did it for more than one year. By their second year, they were RAs for university apartments—and yes, they got their own apartment in LA, completely covered.
Now, I know being an RA isn’t for everyone. It can be challenging, and yes, my RA friends definitely had some stories (lol), but none of them ever regretted it. If anything, they were proud of it.
And even if being an RA isn’t your thing, it’s still worth asking your college’s Residential Life or Housing Office if they offer discounted housing or meal plans for other res life jobs—you never know what’s available until you ask!
Tip #3: Look into SNAP (Food Stamps) to Save Money in College
Okay, this might be a little controversial, but I’m all about sharing every resource that can make college life more affordable—especially when it comes to food.
A lot of students don’t realize this, but you might be eligible for SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps). These benefits can help you cover the cost of groceries—something that eats up a big chunk of any student budget.
Personally, I never applied because I had a campus meal plan, which made me ineligible. But I’ve known several students who received up to $291 a month through EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) to use at grocery stores or even restaurants that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program (like Subway, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, etc., depending on your state).
And listen—if you’re worried about what people think, please don’t be.
You don’t have to tell anyone you’re using EBT. And honestly, a lot of college students apply for it and hope to qualify. There’s no shame in using a resource that’s meant to help you. If someone’s not paying for your groceries, their opinion doesn’t matter. That $291/month can help you stretch your budget and cover other essentials too.
How to Get Started:
I’m not an expert in the SNAP application process, but many campuses have a basic needs center, food security office, or student support program that can help.
And while you’re at it, ask if your school has a food pantry or food closet. A lot of colleges offer free groceries, snacks, hygiene products, and even cooking staples to students—no strings attached. These resources exist because you deserve support, not shame.
Tip #4: Waive Your College Insurance to Save Money in College
A lot of students don’t realize that you’re required to have health insurance while enrolled in college—whether that’s through your parents, your own plan, your job, or a government program like Medi-Cal.
Almost all accredited colleges and universities offer their own student health insurance, and in many cases, it’s automatically added to your tuition. But here’s the catch: you might be paying for it without even knowing, or you may be able to waive it if you already have coverage.
At the UC, we had a plan called UC SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan), which was automatically applied to every student. You had to submit a waiver form each year if you wanted to opt out.
- Some students (like me) were eligible to get UC SHIP for free due to financial aid—so we kept it, even if we already had another plan, to maximize coverage.
- Others who weren’t eligible had to pay roughly $800 per term (varies by campus), and many of them waived it to avoid that extra cost.
So here’s what you should do:
- Check your student billing portal to see if you’re being charged for student insurance
- If you already have your own coverage, see if you’re eligible to waive the school’s plan
- And if you’re eligible for financial aid or state-sponsored insurance, see if you can get the campus plan for free
That $800 per term could go toward books, groceries, or savings—don’t pay for something you don’t need.
Tip #5: Maximize Your College Resources to Save Money in College
College students often don’t realize how resource-rich their campus is—or they simply forget to take advantage of what they’ve already paid for through tuition and fees.
Honestly, college might be the only time in your life where you get access to this many free or discounted services all in one place. Whether or not you realize it, your student fees are already covering things like:
- Free gym membership or recreation center access
- Career advising and résumé reviews
- Mental health counseling and wellness workshops
- Free or discounted printing
- Free bus/transit passes or discounted parking permits
- Campus shuttles to get around (especially on larger campuses)
Of course, offerings vary by school, but you’d be surprised by how much is available—you just have to ask around. I always recommend keeping a note on your phone with helpful resources, because you never know when you’ll need them later.
Pro tip: Go to campus events—even if you’re shy.
They almost always give out free food, merch, raffle prizes, or valuable info, and it’s also a low-stakes way to network and meet people. I’ve seen students make new friends, get job leads, and even win laptops just from showing up.
Bottom line: Be resourceful. You’re already paying for these things—so don’t let them go to waste.
Final Thoughts: Real Ways to Save Money in College
These aren’t just “nice-to-know” tips—these are real, practical ways to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars during your college years.
Of course, there are smaller ways to save, too:
- Use student discount platforms like UNiDAYS or Student Beans
- Pack lunch from home on long campus days
- Split and share essentials (like cleaning supplies or bulk groceries) with your roommate
I truly hope this blog post gave you valuable tips you hadn’t thought about before, especially if you’re a first-gen student like me. I know firsthand how hard it is to juggle school and expenses when you’re figuring it out on your own.
And one of the best things you can do? Track your money.
I’m not saying you have to penny-pinch every expense, but knowing where your money is going helps you make better decisions. Sometimes we don’t even realize how much we’re spending on things like:
- Buying food on campus every day
- Subscriptions we forgot we’re still paying for
- Impulse purchases that add up fast
If you’re ready to start budgeting smart, check out my next blog post on budgeting for college students—it’ll walk you through easy ways to take control of your money without feeling restricted.