Paying for Post-Secondary
6. Sell old textbooks. Sell or trade your textbooks yourself, or find out if
there is a student run or local consignment shop that will sell your old
textbooks for you. They will take a share of the money, but you will still almost
always earn more than you would get selling your books back to your campus
bookstore.
7. Buy used books. New textbooks are expensive. Whenever possible, buy
a used version of the textbook you need. There is often the request to buy the
latest edition of a textbook, but keep in mind that the latest version may not
have changed significantly from the earlier version. Look into whether you can
use an older (and cheaper) version without missing out on any key
information.
8. Use your student card. Many businesses offer discounts to students, so
take advantage! You can also sign up for the International Student Identity
Card (ISIC) which can get you a discount on a range of products and
services, including travel. The ISIC is usually free for university and college
students. Visit the ISIC website at isiccanada.ca to see what kinds of
discounts are available.
9. Shop around, use coupons, and look for bargains. It might seem tedious,
but a few dollars in savings will add up over the course of a degree or diploma.
10. Take advantage of tax deductions and tax credits for students. Both the
federal and provincial governments offer tax deductions and tax credits for
students for things like tuition fees, books, moving expenses and more.
11. Save on transportation costs. Walking and biking are the cheapest ways
to get around but if those options aren’t practical for you, consider public
transit. Some schools include the cost of a transit pass, sometimes called a
“U-pass,” in your tuition.
Check out www.studentaidbc.ca. This website has great info on:
Planning
Funding options
Loan application info
Maintaining your loan
Loan repayment info
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