Review the various federal student loan repayment options.
Making good financial decisions
Set up a budget to compare the money you have vs. the money you plan to spend. Use a spreadsheet to organize your expenses vs. income. Break out your budget into categories such as:
books
meals or entertainment
splurges or big ticket items
Put aside a portion of your summer or school-year earnings for books in future semesters.
Consider ways to maximize summer earnings and investigate internship funding through Gettysburg’s Center for Career Engagement. Think long- term: taking a lower (or even non-paying) internship may help you secure a more competitive job after Gettysburg.
If living in an apartment, have conversations before the semester begins about contributions to expenses. If living off-campus and paying various utilities or other bills, discuss and determine expectations for how and when roommates will share these additional costs.
Appreciate their contributions, both in terms of their time as well as finances, to your success over the years.
Ask them when it's best to talk finances. Would they prefer to schedule a specific time?
Encourage an open conversation, allowing them to share what they feel comfortable.
Bring up what you are prepared to contribute, either in terms of financial contributions through summer/school year earnings, loans or other resources.
Help them to understand your short-term and long-term goals (even if they aren't financial goals) and what you are doing to work towards them.
Other campus resources
Center for Career Engagement - maximize your post-graduate opportunities and find out about externships, internships and on-campus programs.
Center for Global Education - understand the financial benefits of Gettysburg's affiliated off-campus study programs.
Student Accounts - get to know your billing statement or contact your Student Accounts Representative.
Other useful websites
studentaid.gov - A comprehensive overview of federal financial aid programs
