Although studying in the USA is more expensive than studying in other countries, the quality of education provided at US universities cannot be beaten by universities in other nations. Studying in the USA will open the doors to numerous career opportunities and you will feel proud of yourself for taking the decision to study in the USA.
However, as per the news, many students have dropped their studies because of a lack of money. Why does this happen? Is studying in the USA actually that expensive or students are poorly managing their finances? There are many questions that need to be discovered. So, you need to be careful while spending your money while studying in the USA. We have mentioned some tips in this article that will help you spend your money wisely throughout your journey there. In addition, if you want to get affordable immigration services, you can approach the best US visa consultants in Ludhiana.
Tips to save money while studying in the USA:
Here is the list of tips you must follow if you want to save money while studying in the USA:
Make a Budget Plan
Making a monthly budget plan and sticking to it throughout the month is the best way to spend your money wisely. In a budget plan, you can include accommodation costs, travel expenses, grocery expenses and miscellaneous costs. This way, you can easily know how much money you need to spend in a month. This plan will help you avoid unnecessary spending which will lead to a huge saving in your bank account. Don’t worry, we are not saying you make an Excel sheet. You can simply make a list in your notebook and click a picture of it on your mobile phone. Hence, wherever you move outside for shopping or to have fun, you can easily check out your budget plan and spend wisely.
Live Off-campus
If you are planning to live on-campus in a hostel, it is going to be too expensive for you. On average, the monthly expenses of living in a hostel will cost you around $1200-$1500. So, living off-campus is a better option if you want to save money to manage other living expenses. However, it doesn’t mean that you will live in a private apartment because it will also be really expensive. For an affordable option, you can live in a shared apartment or basement. This way, you can save around $450-500 per month.
Scholarships
Scholarships offered by US universities will help you manage your tuition fee without getting stressed. However, you need to work hard academically if you want to qualify for a merit-based scholarship. If you perform well in the first semester, you will surely be able to get a scholarship to cover your fee for the next semester.
Part-time Jobs
The US government allows international students to do part-time jobs while studying in the USA so that they can earn money and manage their finances easily. So, you can work for 20 hours per week at a minimum wage of $16-$20. By working for just 20 hours a week, you can easily manage your studies as well as save money for household expenses.
Choose Public Transportation
We know that students dream of getting their own car while studying in the USA but they don’t know that it will cost them an arm and a leg. The maintenance cost of cars is very high in the USA. Moreover, you also need to pay for petrol and diesel which will lead to high expenses. Therefore, it is better to opt for public transportation such as buses and trains. This way, you can save more than half of the money which can be utilized on other things.
Buy Used Books
Buying new books will be an expensive option. So, for a cost-effective option, you can buy used books. You can get used books at less than half of the original price. In addition, you can also buy a library card to access books for free.
Do you have some queries regarding the overall funds required to study in the USA? If yes, you can connect with the immigration consultants in Ludhiana.
Wrapping Up
To wrap up, without money, you won’t be able to survive in the USA because you will be unable to get basic needs such as accommodation and food. So, make sure to have enough savings in your bank account and follow the tips given above to save enough money while studying in the USA.