| Students are increasingly worried about credit and | | | | credit standing, but too large student loans not |
| credit scores - and for good reason. Student | | | | only require larger monthly repayments but also |
| debts are rising and the numbers of students who | | | | may affect credit scores by overextending credit. |
| leave school with ruined credit scores is rising as | | | | As tuition fees rise, larger student loans are |
| well. Many experts blame larger credit card debts | | | | becoming the norm, leading to financial hardship - |
| and rising tuition costs (that lead to larger student | | | | and in many cases disaster. To avoid this, you |
| loans). Despite the pressures, it is possible to | | | | should try to live within your means and rely on |
| leave school financially sound and in fact, to | | | | such resources as jobs, savings, scholarships, |
| develop good financial habits that can lead to a | | | | bursaries, and other forms of financial aid to pay |
| lifetime of financial success. Here are a few tips | | | | for your tuition and living expenses. |
| that can make the college years a credit-booster | | | | Another thing that students can do is save |
| instead of a credit disaster: | | | | money by taking advantage of student discounts |
| If you are a student, you have a great secret | | | | on student life. One of the advantages of student |
| weapon for credit repair and free credit repair | | | | life is that it is inexpensive. Student housing or |
| advice - your school's financial aid office. If you | | | | rooms rented with roommates create |
| are a college student, your school's financial aid | | | | inexpensive living, on-campus facilities offer great |
| office should be one of your first stops at the | | | | services at discount rates, and many businesses |
| campus. Few students visit this office regularly | | | | offer student-only deals.Try to take advantage of |
| while they are in school, and this is a mistake. The | | | | these offers to make your student money |
| financial aid office at most universities and colleges | | | | stretch further. |
| can offer students free credit repair advice to | | | | Look around to find the best student-deal offers, |
| help you keep your credit score in tip-top shape. | | | | ranging from travel deals to free tax filing |
| Additionally, the financial aid office offers | | | | services, available from your campus and from |
| one-on-one financial counseling, information about | | | | surrounding businesses. Make use of the free |
| scholarships, tips on budgeting, books on money, | | | | services on campus - such as renting movies for |
| and many more resources. The officers at your | | | | free from the film department or working out in |
| university or college financial aid office can offer | | | | the school gym - rather than paying for these |
| you help on almost any aspect of financial help - | | | | same services outside the campus. |
| including helping you figure out a financial plan that | | | | Many students fall in love with their credit cards. |
| can keep you out of debt. | | | | Credit card companies know this, too, and |
| Plus, many financial aid offices have workshops | | | | routinely heavily advertise on college campuses, |
| that can teach you about dealing with money and | | | | even offering students free food or gifts to fill |
| credit, and even offer free tax filing services - | | | | out a credit application. While the convenience of |
| services that are extremely useful. In fact, the | | | | credit cards is tempting, it is a good idea to stay |
| financial aid offices at most colleges and | | | | away from credit cards altogether. This is |
| universities are so useful that you may want to | | | | because studies have repeatedly shown that |
| call the school you attended in the past to ask | | | | those who pay cash for items routinely spend |
| whether alumni are eligible for any services at the | | | | less than those charging or using credit cards to |
| financial aid office. The free credit repair advice | | | | pay. |
| and other resources that you a get from these | | | | An alternative to using a credit card is a prepaid |
| offices, are simply too good to miss. | | | | debit card. Prepaid debit cards are a great asset |
| Another thing that students can do to protect | | | | to students because it can teach students great |
| their credit is to try to pay for education through | | | | financial management skills. Using a prepaid debit |
| means other than loans. Student loans are | | | | card for entertainment and other small needs |
| becoming a problem for more and more students. | | | | ensures you won't spend more than you have to |
| Many parents and students are now waking up to | | | | and also ensures that you won't end up paying |
| the fact that huge student loans can be a terrible | | | | for months for something that is long gone. |
| financial burden after graduation. While it is true | | | | Following the free credit repair advice give in this |
| that most college and student loans do not have | | | | article can help you with credit repair before it |
| to be repaid until after graduation, the time after | | | | becomes a necessity. More importantly, this |
| graduation usually carries some large financial | | | | information can help you to establish good credit |
| responsibilities. | | | | habits early and will help ensure that you have a |
| Many college graduates want or need a car, a | | | | long (and good) credit history by the time you |
| good job, and possibly their own home or | | | | graduate from college. |
| apartment. Each of these things requires a good | | | | |