Budget

9 Tips for College Students Considering Their First Credit Card

College is the perfect time to build a credit history, which you will need for the next stages in your life, such as renting an apartment, buying a car, or obtaining a mortgage. Since your credit score will follow you for life, it can either help or hinder your situation. It is therefore critical for… Read More
5 Tips for College Students Living on a Budget

College students have different financial situations. While some students have to take out student loans, others may have their educational and personal expenses completely covered by their parents. Still others may have their educational expenses covered but not their personal expenses. Regardless of your financial situation, making a budget will help you think about your… Read More
5 Tricks to Save Money at Music Festivals

For those who strive for a vacation, music festivals are the perfect break from a daily routine. From ecstatic fans dancing in the mud to the sea of vendors wrapped in tie-dye, music festivals will take you mentally and physically far away from a lecture hall or office. Music truly is the best escape. Festivals… Read More
What to Buy AFTER You Move Into Your Dorm

While there are essential items you should buy before you move into your dorm room, there are many other items that you can wait to buy until after you arrive at your campus when you have a better sense of what you need. Moving is never an easy process, so don’t make it more difficult… Read More
What to Buy BEFORE You Move Into Your Dorm

College can really change a person! For many, it makes them more economical and the biggest discount seekers. Becoming a fiscally responsible college student requires basic knowledge on deals and discounts and when to take advantage of these opportunities. There are many things college students need for school, and it is usually better to have… Read More
Textbooks 101: Buying, Renting & Selling Textbooks In 2021

*Updated January 29, 2021 Textbooks are a real cost to college students. During the 2019-20 academic year, students spent an average of $413 for course materials, according to the National Association of College Stores (NASC). While the amount is substantial, it has fallen by 41 percent since the 2007-2008 academic year. The decrease is partially… Read More
Must-Know Banking and Money Tips for Students Studying Abroad

If you are going to study abroad, you should understand the local banking system and currency and make financial plans before you start wandering the streets of your new home. Banking and money differ a great deal depending on the country you are traveling to. While the U.S. dollar is widely accepted, you will still… Read More
Financial Aid Appeal: How to Make Your Case and Get More Money

Acceptance letters come with a price tag. That’s not a surprise. But what may come as a surprise to many students and families is that colleges are more likely than you think to say “yes” to your request for more aid. And that is exactly what a financial aid appeal is — a request for help.… Read More
Nitro FAFSA Guide: Free Tool for Students and Parents

Ah, FAFSA. So many questions to answer and so much confusion (and frustration) year after year. But no worries! Financial aid expert John Haggerty has worked closely with Nitro to help bring an end to the confusion! For each of the 108 questions you are required to answer on FAFSA, Nitro has clarified why each… Read More
NitroScore: The Affordability Calculator Every Prospective College Students and Their Parents Need

*Updated April 4, 2019 More and more high school seniors (and even juniors) along with their parents are worried about the rising cost of higher education. Taking out loans has become the norm, and applying for scholarships has become a part of the application process. Graduating college debt-free isn’t a realistic goal anymore; graduating with… Read More
NYC Brunch Guide for College Students on a Budget

New York City is known for its delicious, mouth-watering brunches, but when you’re a student on a strict college budget, it can be frustrating to live next door to the most expensive brunch spots. Sometimes it seems like the closest I can get to delectable avocado toast and stacks of warm pancakes is looking at… Read More
4 Tips to Make the Most of National Financial Literacy Month

Have you received several mail offers for loan qualifications and/or acquired a few credit cards? Perhaps your personal budget includes saving for a car or a much-needed vacation, and you are still trying not to spend money on a daily cup of coffee. Choices, choices, and more choices are going to arrive much quicker than… Read More
4 Tips for Affordable Spring Beauty Trends

Spring semester is more than halfway over, but you can still take advantage of beauty trends for spring. Many beauty brands have come together to give you the best shades, long-lasting wear and slight shimmers. To make it even better, many beauty products include vitamins that help repair any signs of aging and fatigue caused… Read More
Money-Saving Tips in College

As a college student, money is always on my mind. I want to find ways to save all my money and never touch it, but I also want to go out without breaking the bank. I also want to find a way to make money in the future. It is so hard to deal with… Read More
8 Colleges that Cover Full Tuition for All Enrolled Students

Affordability is one of the fastest growing factors influencing U.S. students’ choice of college, according to U.S. News & World Report. The cost of attending college is a big burden on students, so they could use some help. While New York Governor Cuomo has proposed a free college tuition plan, and San Francisco will be… Read More