Tips for Travelling (Abroad) on a Budget

Save up. If you know you want to travel, or already know when and where you’re going, start saving money specifically for this trip. You’ll want to save as much as you can so you don’t have to worry as much about what you’re spending while you’re gone. Pro tip: be careful about carrying too much cash on you when travelling, you could be in a tough situation if you lose it.

Stay in hostels. While it may not sound like the most fun or private way to stay somewhere, staying in hostels can save you lots of money. Hostels vary from large to small, so do some research to find the ones that will work best for you. Hostels can also provide an opportunity to meet other people you might not have otherwise - who knows, you might find new friends! Pro tip: staying outside of the city limits is usually cheaper.

Workaway. If you’re willing to work your way around the world, Workaway could be a perfect option for you. The idea of workaway is labor - which can vary - in exchange for food and housing.

Couchsurfing or Airbnb. Rent a couch, room, or home/apartment wherever you’re travelling. Prices and spaces vary, so you can find what suits you best.

Study Abroad. If you have a chance before you graduate, think about spending a semester abroad!

Find discounts. I’ll say it again, while you’re a student, take advantage of any and all discounts that you can. Check out one of our previous blog posts for more discount resources.

Get a job abroad. Once you’re not in school, you won’t really have the option to study abroad. However, you could work abroad. If there’s somewhere specific you’d like to spend some time, do some research for getting a work visa in that country. The job doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, but this would give you an option to explore while also having an income. Plus you’ll have an opportunity to meet more people you might not have otherwise!

Volunteer. If you’re not worried about money, but are interested in volunteering and meeting new people, check out Go Overseas for different programs and options.

Good luck, and safe travels!

What to Do When You Can’t Pay Your Bills

Sometimes adulting is hard and terrifying, and being a college student who’s also trying to work enough to pay numerous bills can be extra difficult at times. There may be a time, be it now or in the future, that you realize you won’t be able to pay some of your bills. This can be a very scary realization, and so we’ve compiled a list of resources and tips for you in case this happens to you.

Don’t be embarrassed. Try to stay calm and don’t be embarrassed. These things happen, and as scary as it is, there are ways to make it through. Take a minute to ground yourself, breathe, and then continue on, think logically and thoroughly. This situation doesn’t define you as a person and doesn’t define your future.

Prioritize the essentials. Figure out the things you need to be able to continue on for the month - things like rent, electricity, water, etc. In this case, the essentials are the basic things you need to survive, the things that if taken away, could be detrimental to your health and safety.  

Make sure you can eat. Go through the food you currently have and see if you can make snacks or meals out of any of it. If you’re able to go to the grocery store, make smart decisions about what you’re buying. Make sure they’re things that will last, that are good for your body, and that are a good price. If you’re unable to afford any groceries, check out some local food banks and also apply for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (food stamps) if you haven’t already. It may not help you instantly, but it will be extremely helpful once you have it in your possession.

Make sure you can get where you need to go. In order to continue making money you need to work. In order to work, you need a way to get to work.  If you have an ORCA pass from the school (which you should), you should be okay for any bus/light rail commutes you need to make. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS. This is free, so if you don’t have to drive & spend money on gas, don’t. (If for some reason you don’t have an ORCA card through the school, there are cheaper pass options out there - check out the low income ORCA pass deal called ORCA Lyft).

Prioritize the rest of your bills. Not all debt will have the same consequences left unpaid for awhile, so do your research and decide which bills need to be prioritized. Determine which bills you’re able to pay and which ones you can’t. Pay the ones you can and then call or email the companies you can’t. Let them know your situation and that you won’t be able to pay your bill on time. Ask if there’s anything they might be able to do to help you - a grace period, late-fee waiver, etc. At this point, anything will help.  

Ask for help. So you’ve done everything you’re able to do at this point. You’ve done good. Try to stay on top of things, pay things off as you can… Everything will be okay. And don’t forget that there are people and resources around you that you can go to for help. You’re not on your own!

Check out this great link for even more tips and steps and make sure you do some of your own research!

Good luck out there.

Discount Grocery Shopping

Tips to Shop

Take advantage of your meal plan. If you live in the dorms, make sure you're making full use of your
meal plan! There's no limit on what you can spend in a day, but you do only have a certain amount for
the semester, so plan accordingly. You can always add money out of pocket onto your card - this goes for
those of you who don't live in the dorms as well!

Make a list. Figure out what you need (and want) before you head to the store. This will help to keep

you focused and you’ll be less likely to wander the store adding things into your cart that you don’t

really need. It can help if you also create a standard 'staples' checklist of things you always want to have
on hand.

Budget. Figure out how much you can spend on groceries and try to stick to it. Do you get paid once

a month? Are you living off of your savings? Figure out a plan that works best for you.

Sign up for EBT. Did you know that if you’re a student with work study, you can qualify for food

benefits? Head on over to the DSHS and apply for EBT, then stop by our office and we can provide

you with documents that prove you’re active in the program.

Shop with your roommate(s). Share the cost of a grocery run by splitting the cost in half or trade off
on grocery runs. Sit down with your roomie(s) and see what would work best for all!

Coupon. Some grocery stores have their own apps that have discounts and coupons that you

wouldn’t get otherwise. If you have store you go to frequently, see if they have one! There are tons

of other apps out there for grocery coupons and even ones that will give you money back after you

upload your receipts. Check the weekly flyers that stores have, look in newspapers for coupons.
(Checkout 51, Ibotta, more)

Buy in bulk & freeze. Dry and non-perishable foods are the best for this (beans, rice, pasta, oatmeal, canned

goods, etc.) If you have some extra space in your living area and you see some sales - stock up! If you have
room in your freezer, you can always freeze items that will expire!

Pack a lunch the night before. Most cases, you probably run out of time in the mornings before you head
to class and don't have time to figure out food to bring. If you do this the night or weekend before, you
won't have to worry about it in the morning!

Shop seasonal. Buying fruits and veggies that are in season will save you some money. When

produce isn’t in season it tends to be more expensive because it has to travel farther to get to you!

Eat before you go! Shopping while hungry is never a good idea because you’ll want all of the things.

You’ll find yourself buying more than you might if you shop when you’re not hungry.

Grocery List Ideas

Fruits

Apples

Bananas

Grapes

Oranges

Veggies

Avocado

Bell peppers

Broccoli

Carrots

Lettuce

Onions

Spinach

Sweet potatoes

Tomatoes

Protein

Beans

Chicken

Deli meat

Eggs

Lentils

Peanut butter

Tuna fish (look for low sodium)

Yogurt (look for low sugar)

Bread and Grains

Cereal (look for low sugar; dry cereal also makes a quick snack)

Oatmeal (look for low sugar)

Rice (preferably brown or long-grain)

Tortillas

Whole grain bread

Whole wheat pasta

Quick Eats

Cheese sticks

Dried fruit

Frozen dinners

Hummus

Popcorn

Protein/cereal bars

Salsa

Soups

Trail mix

Other

Butter (or substitute)

Coffee (making it yourself can save you tons of money—don’t worry, Starbucks will still be there)

Garlic

Honey

Olive/coconut oil

Pasta sauce

Salt & pepper

Tea

Where to Shop

Cash & Carry

Best products: Groceries and produce at case prices (single packages also available on most
items), fresh meat, dairy products, and frozen foods.

Nearest locations: SoDo, Ballard, Mt. Baker

Fred Meyer

Best products: Save more by taking advantage of weekly ad specials and digital coupons on
their website.

Nearest locations: Ballard, Greenwood

Grocery Outlet

Best products: Brand-name groceries and fresh produce. Sign up for “WOW” email alerts to be
notified of unadvertised deals from your local store. They also have occasional $5 off coupons if
you use your phone number at the kiosk during checkout!

Nearest locations: SoDo, Central District, Crown Hill

Uwajimaya

Best products: Regular prices can be high on some product, so take advantage of weekly specials,
and get 10% off as a student every Friday after 6pm!

Nearest location: International District

Trader Joe’s

Best products: Check out their weekly flyer! A lot of things at Trader Joes have pretty good

prices. Keep an eye out for sales and Trader Joe’s brand products.

Nearest locations: Central District, Queen Anne

Big John’s PFI

Best products: Store carries mostly European and Mediterranean imported foods. ½-pound
minimum when buying deli meats (unsliced/no slicer), sausages, cheeses (domestic and
international), and olives. Large variety of bulk dried goods: rices, beans, spices, grains, flours.
Large selections of olive oils, specialty oils, and vinegars. Also chocolate and candy from around
the world.

Location: SoDo

Costco (membership required)

Best products: best value is found on dairy products, organic products, frozen foods, Kirkland
brand products, bulk foods, and perishable foods.

Nearest location: Industrial District

How Am I Going to Pay for Cornish?

Click here to estimate what you’ll owe to Cornish after your financial aid is applied to your bill. (Do not include work study in your estimation)

Outside Scholarships

There are many outside scholarships available for students to apply for. There is no guarantee of an award, but if awarded, that money can be applied to your tuition for Cornish and other eligible costs for attendance. We have a database of collected outside scholarships that Cornish students may be eligible for on Compass under the Financial Aid tab.

5 (or 4) Month Interest-Free Payment Plan

Cornish offers an option to break up the semesters bill into five (or four) equal monthly payments, July (or August) to November. Families pay a one-time fee to begin this option and pay no interest on the balance. For more information, please contact student accounts at 206.726.5025. The payment plan is also an option for the Spring semester.

Parent PLUS Loans

The PLUS loan is a federal loan taken out by a parent for the student’s education, and is available to biological parents and any step-parent on the FAFSA. PLUS loans require a credit check and in some instances an eligible co-signer. Repayment of a PLUS loan begins following the final disbursement of the loan, although borrowers can request payment deferment until six months after the student graduates or no longer attends at least half time. If the PLUS loan is denied for credit reasons, an additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loan will become available to the student.

Private Student Loans

Private loans are non-federal loans issued by a lender such as a bank or credit union. These loans require a credit check of the student borrower and co-signer. They are a viable option to cover direct costs but should be considered very carefully. These loans are not available through the financial aid office, but lenders our students have used in the past are available on Compass under the “other resources” section of Financial Aid.

If you have any questions or concerns, or if your FAFSA does not reflect your current financial situation due to exceptional circumstances such as the loss of a job or the death of a parent, please contact our office at finaid@cornish.edu or 206.726.5014

Understanding Your Financial Aid Award

Your award is based on a number of factors. Assuming you’ve completed the FAFSA for this year, your EFC, number of credits, your eligibility for state and institutional aid, and your year in school, are all taken into account.

Your EFC represents how much money the federal government has determined you can contribute towards your education based on the results of the FAFSA. The cost of attendance (COA) is calculated by the school and is based on tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses. It is an estimated cost, and is not meant to indicate an amount due to Cornish.

Financial aid is calculated by subtracting your EFC from the COA here at Cornish. This leaves us with your financial need - this number can’t exceed your COA. Need based aid includes things like grants, work study and subsidized/unsubsidized loans.

Keep in mind that work study doesn’t apply directly to tuition. This is a need based award that is treated more like an actual part time job, where you apply, interview, and get paid on a monthly bases.

Institutional merit scholarships are awarded to new and transfer students based on their audition or portfolio review. Your department scholarship is renewable for four years if you begin at Cornish as a freshman and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 67% pace of progression annually.

If you are receiving any outside scholarships, notify us at the financial aid office and be sure that the organization you are receiving the scholarship from has the school’s information so that the check can be mailed to us and applied to your financial aid award.

In subsequent years of attendance, a Cornish student may qualify for a merit-based or endowed scholarship based on donor criteria and department requirements for demonstrated artistic and academic excellence.

If you have any questions or concerns, or if your FAFSA doesn’t reflect your current financial situation due to exceptional circumstances such as the loss of a job or the death of a parent, please contact our office at finaid@cornish.edu or 206.726.5014

Avoiding Scams

You don’t have to pay for scholarships! Be cautious of any scholarships requesting fees to apply. See here and here for common scholarship scams and how to avoid them.

You don’t have to pay to fill out the FAFSA! FAFSA is always free. If you’re having any problems while filling it out you’re more than welcome to stop by the office or get in touch with us with any questions. You can also get online help at fafsa.gov or the Federal Student Aid Information Center.

You don’t have to pay for help with your student loans! Instead, reach out to your loan servicer.

More information here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/scams

Finding Food with Little to No Money

SNAP (EBT) / Food Stamp Benefits. Eligibility for these benefits is based on a monthly income. Many students attending college at least half time don’t qualify for these benefits, but there are exemptions that apply to many non-traditional and low-income students. One of these exemptions includes being eligible for work study here at Cornish. Here’s a good resource if you have more questions specifically related to being a student and trying to get these benefits. To learn more and to apply, visit the DSHS official website. (This process can take a little while, so if you're looking for something immediate, check out some of the options below - but to try and apply to help yourself in the future!)

Best foods to buy. When you’re tight on money and looking for the best things to get for cheap, use your best judgement. But here are some recommends: potatoes, lentils, eggs, produce, rice, oatmeal, peanut butter, beans, protein bars. Here’s a free ebook by Leanne Brown about how to Eat Well on $4/Day which includes simple but tasty recipes, as well as a resource for eating from your pantry from The Organic Prepper.

Food Banks. << Click the link to see the which food bank is closest to you. You may end up having to wait in line for a couple of hours, but food banks are free and made specifically for people who are having a hard time paying for food. Check out FreeFood.org for food banks and some other free food resources.

Asking. If it comes down to it, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Places to do this would be restaurants, farmers markets, neighborhood supermarkets, or community gardens. This won’t work every time, but even if it works once - it’s free food. Be honest, offer bartering if it seems like an option, be understanding if the answer is no.

Seed Swaps. If you’re interested in growing your own food, there are local events where people swap seeds! You don’t have to bring seeds to get them.