What to do if you are short on financial aid

So you've applied to college, been accepted, and gotten a look at your financial aid package. You do the math and realize you are short of paying for everything. What are you going to do?

Well, you can ask the financial aid office for another look, maybe a better offer. Click here for tips on getting more financial aid.

After that, there are a few things the college student can do to make the bottom line look better.

First thing is to be first in line. Apply early. Colleges have a more limited supply of funds to give out and may run out if you delay.

Think about changing schools, if it's not too late. Many colleges are offering out of state students money as an incentive to come to their college. Some large private colleges actually have more money to give out. So even though the cost is higher, it will be cheaper for you in the long run.

Don't overlook the scholarship search. It may take some of your time, but working on finding scholarships in this economy is worth it. And there are many scholarships that go overlooked. You can do a free college scholarship search here, or learn ways of finding scholarships here.

Colleges have what they call merit scholarships to current students who have high GPAs. So, pump up your studying and get good grades.

And the easiest way to make up a shortage of college money. Spend less. This means everything from transportation, to books, and dorms to food. Read 30 ways to cut college costs.

The bottom line, is that your bottom line may look deep, but with a little extra work, you can make up for a college cash crunch.

College students can save money by not buying these things

Let's face it. College is expensive. Most college students squeak by on a meager budget. One thing they realize is that tuition is not the only cost. Other things can add up. Many students don't even realize how expensive other things can be. So here are a few items that college students should try and not buy. Every penny saved is a penny back in your pocket.

Leave the car at home. Better yet. Sell it and pocket the cash. The college fees for parking are probably going to cost $50 a month. Or more. And your car will mostly sit. You still have to pay insurance, and car insurance for college students is not cheap. You will be tempted to take trips on the weekend, further costing you money. No doubt a car will end up costing most college students a couple of hundred dollars a month. If you insist on driving in college, here are some lower car insurance tips.

College students do not need the latest fashions. You're going to spend the majority of your time on campus. Buy some used clothes and forget the name brands. Nobody in college will notice anyway. Every student will have unique way of dressing. If you buy new, buy from the cheaper store and skip the brand names.

Textbooks are a huge expense. So, how about trying NOT to buy them. You can rent them from various places now. Many e-readers have textbook versions for a fraction of the cost. But, the best way is to avoid buying them at all. How? Well, show up to class before you buy books. See if the ones on the list are really necessary. If not, and you can still pass the class, don't buy them. Your college library will have copies of all needed books. Most of these cannot be checked out, so copies remain in the library. Get to the library during off hours, and chances are nobody will be using them. You can also check out used book stores to see if an older version works just as well. These would be very cheap. Meet people in the class who have a textbook, and study with them. Here are more tips on saving on textbooks.

College students do not need a lot of notebooks and paper anymore. Most things that used to be passed out, like a syllabus, are now online. You might even do homework online. Maybe you can take notes with your computer. Wait until the first few classes to start and find out exactly how much paper and notebooks you need. Don't wast money on school supplies.

>>Tips for more financial aid.

College student's budget busters

There is more to a college budget than books and tuition. In fact, those will be more manageable than the costs of other things that most college students want or need while in college. Many things are not thought of and can bust any college budget.

Here are just a few costs of college that are normally no in your budget.

Outfitting a dorm room. Shelves, bedding, and other accessories to make your dorm comfortable will add hundreds to your costs. Shop wisely and think used.

College Parking fees. This can add up to $50 a month. Leave the car at home if you can help it. Do more things on campus. Like study. Car insurance can be expensive. 

Students and Electronic gadgets. Cell phones, a new laptop, maybe an ipad or ipod. These are budget killers. Students should make an effort to acquire these items before college, or better still, just go for a laptop. The others you may not need.

College outerwear. From school sweatshirts to college team hoodies. You may feel the need to show some college pride. Choose items that you could wear on a daily basis. Get it to do double duty, not just school sports attendance. Sometimes the college bookstore sells these items for a lot less than brand names.

College students love snacks. Even if you have a meal plan, you will need snacks and food in the dorm. Most students do not know how expensive food is, as their parents supplied it for free. Buy bulk items and put in snack bags to lower the cost. Avoid single pack snacks. They are expensive.

Off campus activities. You will want to get away from campus. Movies and coffee shops for example. These can be college budget busters. Be sure and ask for local student discounts.

Two quick ways to make a college degree cheaper

When it comes to paying for college, the end result is always a college degree. When you put the overall cost into perspective, the dollars can add up. Here are five ways to make a college degree cheaper almost instantly.

1)Take courses at a local junior college. These are almost always city or state JC's. The cost of tuition is very, very small when compared to a four year college. Some students can take the first two complete years there, then transfer, saving them two years of strained college finances. You still get the same student loans and grants. So why not sock that cash away, then be fully funded for the next two years? The perks can also include a local university partnership. Many offer guaranteed admission if a student graduates from a local junior college. If a complete two year program is not for you, there is nothing wrong with taking one or two classes each term there. The cost saving can be significant. Just be sure the classes you take count towards a four year degree and are transferable.

2)Challenge classes with a test. Many colleges and universities allow you to take a test in lieu of taking the class. The few bucks for the test is pennies compared to the tuition and books for a college class. This will make your degree cheaper and quicker! Normally just freshmen or low level classes are testable. But any fewer classes you must take is money in your pocket.

Military service might actually get you college credit for your experience and military technical and trade schools.

The bottom line is that college tuition is going up. The more quick and easy ways you can cut expenses for a degree, the better!

Ways to cut college costs

Going to college is expensive. Here are just a few more tips on cutting the cost of going to college.

Get good grades. Most colleges offer some type of merit award for good grades. If you maintain the required GPA, make sure you apply.

And keep getting those good grades! Not only does if give you a little more money, it also keeps you from repeating a class. One of the easiest ways to cut the overall cost of college is to graduate on time or early. Take as many classes as you can.

If you are a top notch student and colleges want you, you will get a better financial aid package. More money goes to the top students. So, if you are way down on the list, you will not get much. If money is tight, go to a school where you get in early.

Want to immediately cut the cost of college? Live at home. You probably live near a four year college or university that is within easy driving or commuting distance. Dorms cost thousands of dollars a year. Your parents will be paying no more than what they are now for you to room and board.

However, some private colleges and universities offer better financial aid packages than public. If they want you, they will offer more. It may actually be less out of pocket expenses to go to a private college that is a long distance away.