Budgeting tips and tricks

Planning to pursue postsecondary education is a big decision and should not be taken lightly. A postsecondary education is an investment and should be treated as such.

Saving and budgeting for college and university is necessary to successfully complete your education. Students should learn how to make a budget, and stick to it.

Budgeting – the foundation of sound financial planning

  • review your budget monthly – are you on target?
  • when you subtract your expenses from your incoming money, does it balance?
  • what extra expenses can you reduce if necessary?
  • plan for the future – try to save money as often as possible, even if it is only $5 at a time
  • keep organized records of all your financial affairs (receipts, etc.)
  • maintain a good credit standing
  • even in emergencies, limit credit card use and available credit
  • explore part-time jobs at the college

Check out the “My Budget” tool, located on the student portal under “Money.” With a budget in place, you will be able to effectively manage your money, save for expenses, and prepare for emergencies. The budget template includes educational expenses, housing, food, transportation, miscellaneous costs, health insurance as well as income: scholarships, grants, bursaries, RESP, loans, OSAP and income from work. The template is intuitive and easy to understand.

What should I do to prepare for the cost of my education?

Saving for your education is the key to success. How you fund your education is a decision that needs to be made early on.

If you are applying for a private student line of credit at a bank or financial institution, different rules and procedures may apply, so check with your bank or financial institution’s procedures and deadlines.

The more money you save for your education, the less debt you’ll face after graduation – it’s wise not to expect full funding of your education from another source since it’s not always available.

Quick Links

Contact Financial Aid

Financial Aid provides a centralized service located at the Barrie and Orillia campuses within the Office of the Registrar. Office hours in Barrie are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff members in the Office of the Registrar at our other campus locations are available to assist with general inquiries.

Financial Aid at the Orillia Campus is located in Room A100A within the Office of the Registrar. Office hours in Orillia are Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. NOTE:  Please call or email the office if you require service and we will respond within one business day. If you would like to make an appointment in Orillia, you are encouraged to call ahead and book an appointment if you are travelling to our campus for service.

Georgian College Financial Aid staff