It’s late summer on the Suncoast, and families are prepping for fall semester—shopping for textbooks, buying dorm supplies, and quietly stressing about the bills. Most parents know college is expensive, but many don’t realize that financial aid packages typically decrease after freshman year. This is where the real financial planning begins. Personal finance expert Kionnie Epps emphasizes that students who want to graduate without crushing debt need to think beyond that first year. One powerful strategy many students miss: continue applying for scholarships even after freshman year ends. When scholarship money goes unused, it returns as a refund check—actual free money that doesn’t come with student loan debt. This can cover rent, groceries, and living expenses while you focus on your degree.
Work is another piece of the puzzle. On-campus jobs and work-study programs offer flexibility that traditional part-time work doesn’t. Your employer knows you’re a student, which means you can schedule shifts around classes instead of the other way around. This matters because you’re building work ethic and earning income without sacrificing your GPA. Off-campus jobs often demand rigid schedules that make balancing coursework nearly impossible. Finally, the everyday spending choices add up fast. Splitting apartment costs with a roommate cuts your housing expense in half. Using a meal plan strategically saves thousands compared to eating out. Cooking instead of ordering saves money and builds a habit you’ll carry for life. The key insight from Epps is simple: the financial habits you form in college tend to stick with you. Start with credit card debt in the dorms, and you’re likely to carry that spending pattern into your post-college years. Start with smart choices now, and you graduate without that weight.
Whether you’re a parent helping your student navigate their first year or a student heading back to campus soon, these strategies work. Keep scholarships flowing, work smarter not just harder, and make intentional spending choices. What money habit do you wish you’d built early on—either in college or as a young adult?
