By: Ann Jacob

The College Board reports that students who attend in-state public universities pay an average of $78,172 for tuition, housing and other fees for a four-year program. Students going to private four-year schools spend more than double that—an average of $175,684.

I’m a senior at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio – where tuition is $11,744 a year – studying journalism, and I’ve managed to save thousands of dollars in college expenses so far. Here are a few strategies I’ve used.

1. Cut unnecessary school fees
The first thing you have to do is figure out exactly what your fees are and see what you already have. Make sure to review your tuition statement and waive unnecessary fees before the semester starts. I’m already on my parents’ health insurance plan, so I save $988 a year by opting out of my school’s plan. I also waived my option to use the school’s legal and psychological services every semester, which are $12 and $60, respectively.

Here’s how it works at most schools:
? Log in to your online student center.
? Go to the tuition section.
? Click fees.
? Provide an online signature to officially waive the expenses.

Every school is different, so be sure to check with your bursar’s office to make sure you’re saving the maximum amount.

2. Save on expensive textbooks
Textbooks are heavy—but forgoing new ones can make your wallet considerably lighter. Don’t buy full-price books, especially from your college bookstore. Instead, try comparison shopping on these four sites:
? BigWords
? Abebooks
? Amazon
? Ebay

I needed the “The Necessary Shakespeare” for a class. The book costs $101.95 at my college bookstore, but I bought it used on BigWords for $17.

With some searching, you might also find cheaper—even free e-books. My stats class required “Statistics: Principles and Methods,” which retails for $205.94. But after some serious online bargain hunting, I downloaded the whole book for free to my phone and laptop.

And of course there’s always the library. School libraries often have many of the books you need, and you can scan the pages you need for free.

3. Skip living in the dorms if you don’t have to
At my school, university housing costs about $10,000 a year, and students are required to live in the dorms for at least two years. This year, as a senior, I’m living with friends in a six-bedroom off-campus apartment and paying about $3,500 for the whole year. That’s $6,500 saved – and much less than many of my friends pay.

How can you lower your living expenses? In this case, procrastination might be your friend. College campuses usually have at least three rental companies they work with. Check to see which has leftover spaces and negotiate a cheaper price or shorter lease. And be sure to negotiate prices on landlord-controlled, including utilities, Internet and garbage removal.

4. Apply for scholarships
Many people assume scholarship money for college is only awarded to incoming freshmen, but you can get them after your freshman year, up until your final year (many of my college friends didn’t know this). Here are a few ways to find scholarship money after freshman year:
? Download Scholly. It help you find scholarships that match your criteria, like your state, major or GPA.
? Make friends with your school’s financial aid officers. They can direct you to scholarships that you might not be able to find on your own.
? Apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year.

Have more money-saving tips for college students? Share them with us using #schoolsavings or email us at [email protected].