Thursday, June 28, 2018

Scholarships Due July 5th-30th

We only provide brief information about upcoming scholarships. You’re strongly encouraged to
follow the links to find out more information about eligibility and requirements. Don’t cross out a
scholarship before looking!

For first-generation U.S. citizens (born outside the U.S.), refugees, or immigrants (legal
documentation is not required).
Goedekers College Scholarship - $100-500 - Due 7/8
Write a 300+ word essay on why attending college and your field of study are important to you.

C.A.R.E.S. Scholarship - $500 - Due 7/15
Student must be diagnosed with an inherited blood disorder or have an immediate family member
who is. Must also be a resident of Kentucky.

Must be of Polish descent from the Chicago area and scholastic achievement in the Performing Arts.

Awarding a scholarship to a student in good academic standing who has used creative thinking to
succeed in his/her academic or personal life.
Adversity Scholarship - $5,000 - Due 7/15
Applicant must submit an essay or video on overcoming a life-changing adversity.
For architecture, design, and/or engineering students. Must create a unique shade sail structure
using Tenshon's standard sized shade sails.
Vegetarian/ Vegan Scholarship - Up to $200 - Due 7/15
Create and submit a video relating to what you want to tell others about vegetarianism and/or
veganism.

Students with a severe visual impairment may qualify. See website for details.
NLA Foundation Scholarship - Varies - Due 7/30
Open to minority students who are pursuing undergraduate training in Computer Science, Aviation,
Nursing, or Music.
Scholarship for Fine Art students. Must submit a 300-500 word essay.
Flavor of the Month Scholarship - $1,500 - Due 7/30
If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
There are many other scholarships with due dates that will be coming up fast. Don’t forget to check
out our database on Compass under the “Financial Aid” tab.

Good Luck!
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Friday, June 1, 2018

Seattle Pride on a Budget

June is Pride month which is celebrated in honor of the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. Seattle
celebrated its first Pride Week in 1974 and now the entire month of June is full of different Pride events
here in Seattle. There are so many events that it can feel a bit overwhelming - especially if you’re trying
to do things on a budget. Below, we’ve included some resources and events to help you get started!
Find another Pride event nationwide: http://seattlepride.org/events/regional/
June 7th 6:30-9pm -- Pride Family Fund Day at MOHAI - Crafts, story time, film screenings and live
performances for free!
June 9th 12-7pm -- Volunteer Park Pride Festival - Live music, food trucks, beer garden, craft booths
and more! Free for all ages celebration of LGBTQ arts, performance, and culture. Desi Valentine, special
guest surprise, Donormal, Little Bandit, Fruit Juice, Betsy Olson, Da Toya B.
June 14th 5-8pm -- Capitol Hill Art Walk (Queer Edition)
June 16 & 17 -- Pride Film Festival at Northwest Film Forum
June 21 -- Real Talk: LGBTQ Conversations for Change
June 22nd -- #GetWoke: Queer and Trans People or Color Party and Dance (21+)
June 22nd @ 6pm -- Trans Pride starting at Seattle Central Community College - gathers at 5pm -
festivities to follow in Cal Anderson Park 6:45-10pm


June 22-24 -- Wild Rose Pride (21+)
June 23 12-9pm -- PrideFest Capitol Hill


June 23 1-7pm -- Family Pride and Queer Youth Pride at Cal Anderson Park
June 23rd @7pm -- Seattle Dyke March and Rally - begins at Seattle Central College at 5pm
June 23 & 24 12-6/7pm -- Queer Geeks and Gamers at Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion


June 24th @ 11am -- Seattle Pride Parade Along 4th Avenue


June 24 12-8pm -- PrideFest at Seattle Center
June 24 -- KEXP Pride Party
June 24 - The Cuff Complex PRIDE Street Party (21+)
Additional Resources:

Happy Pride!
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Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Keeping Track of your Spending: Budget 101

Why budget? Budgeting is about understanding finances and becoming a smarter and more mindful spender and saver. No matter what your income range is, having a budget will only make things better. If nothing else, you will become more mindful of what you’re spending your money on. Smart financial management is about making choices and committing to them.
It doesn’t have to be scary. Budgeting is something that should make your life easier, not harder. It can be overwhelming and daunting at first, but once you work at it for a bit and figure out a process that works for you, it will make your life easier. The hardest part of a budget is creating one.


Set goals. What do you want to get out of this? Do you want to have money in a savings account? Do you want to make sure you have enough money for groceries throughout the entire month? To just generally be more financially aware? To be more prepared when tax season comes around? To pay off debt? Sit down and think about what you’d like to improve, be aware of, or save up for. This will help you personalize your budget.


Use an app or create a spreadsheet. There are more and more apps out there that are made to help you keep track of your finances and help you set up a budget that works for you. I’ve included a list of some options that may be of interest, but feel free to do your own research to find an app that works best for you.


If you prefer a more manual process, you can use Google Spreadsheets to track your monthly expenses and income. This way you have access to the information from anywhere, have a more personalized system that works for you, and even share it with your partner or family if you want to.


Underestimate your income. If you have a regular job where you have a similar paycheck month to month, this step will be a bit easier for you. Your monthly paycheck is going to be your big number that you subtract your expenses from. If your paycheck isn’t quite the same every month, pick the number that is lower and work from that. It’s so much better to underestimate your income than it is to do the opposite. Plus it’s a nice surprise when you find out you have more than expected after you pay your bills.


If you’re in a situation where you don’t have a ‘regular’ monthly paycheck you can pull your numbers from, you will either have to do some calculations based on the hours you work and your pay rate or you’ll need to reassess your income each month (or possibly more often). The best way to do this is to estimate what your income will be based on the projects you’re working on or the hours you think you will be hired for. Again, always underestimate your income.
Overestimate your expenses. Try to come up with a list of things that you’ll be spending money on during the month and an estimated amount of what you’ll spend in those areas. If you’re not sure, round up. Then take a look at these expenses versus the income that you came up with just a moment ago. How’s it look? Do you need to make some adjustments?
Needs vs. Wants. Having a budget doesn’t mean you can’t still do fun things, eat out at restaurants, or treat yourself to some fun purchases. What it does mean, is that you’ll be more conscientious about these purchases, and spend your money as wisely as you can.
Tips to cut costs:
  • Make your own tea/coffee/etc. and bring it with you instead of stoping by a cafe every day.
  • Avoid impulse purchases - if you see something you really want while you’re out and about one day, take some time to think about it and your budget. Make sure you’re making a smart decision for your situation.
  • Try to limit restaurant purchases - they add up!
  • Don’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry
  • Buy staple items in bulk
  • Always have a water bottle with you
  • Always carry snacks
  • Pay your bills on time - if you have troubles keeping track, get an app or make calendar notifications!
  • Seek out student discounts everywhere you go - the worst that will happen is they’ll say no.
  • Shop at thrift stores first
  • Consider a cheaper phone plan
  • Get rid of unnecessary monthly subscription costs
  • Seek out and save coupons for grocery shopping
  • Buy or rent used textbooks
Pay your bills first. Choose a day every month to sit down and go through your bills and pay them. Usually the best day for this is the first of the month as that’s usually when the majority of them are due. If you have a few that aren’t due until the middle of the month, it’s best to go ahead and pay them off while you’re taking care of the other ones so you don’t risk forgetting or accidently spending too much money before they’re due and not being able to pay the full amount.  
Stay organized and updated. Pick a day every week, two weeks, or month, where you’ll sit down and look at and update your budget. It’s important to check in every once in awhile to see if you’re staying on track or if you’re spending too much money. If you can, do this more often than just once a month - the more you check in, the more organized and up to date you’ll be.


Use your savings account and/or set up an emergency fund. Every paycheck, try to put money into your savings account that you won’t touch unless it’s absolutely necessary. Whether this is $5 or $100, it will add up over time and be there for you when you need it for an emergency or special purchase.


If you have a credit card, be mindful! It’s super easy to put big and little purchases on your credit card and to tell yourself that you’ll deal with it at the end of the month. But if you don’t keep an eye on it, those purchases can add up quickly and the higher it gets the harder and longer it will take to pay it off. Make sure you have enough credit left that can cover an emergency if one came up.


Learn from your mistakes and move forward. If you get to the end of the month and realize that you didn’t meet all of your goals, that’s okay. Take count of what happened and what you can do in the future to improve the situation that occurred. It’s a learning process, and as long as you can make it through the month that’s what matters most.



Further reading and resources:

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Tuesday, April 17, 2018

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!
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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

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.
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