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Financial Education

How to prepare for university education


Starting college life can be an amazing experience and at the same time prove to be pretty challenging for any student. From confirming if you’ve made the cut entry, to the anxiety that comes with crossing to the next stage, especially when it comes to financing your studies can be doubtful and strenuous.

For some, it means leaving their city, Island, and even their country to seek further studies abroad. Some of these students will finance their studies through bank credit or other means of university funding.

Congratulations to those who were selected for our scholarships and those seeking further studies at home and abroad. As you take the first step in shaping your future we have round-up tips to help you begin your journey.
Be Well Prepared
As a student, enrollment means an automatic place at a university. Make sure you have all the necessary documents before leaving home. Forgetting a document can cause despair or even incur additional costs. If you are far from home, take the opportunity to probe the place and identify possible places to live. Try to stay close to your university, to ensure easy access to daily services such as mini-markets, ATMs, banks, bakeries, pharmacies, etc.

To get things running, if possible, seek student assistance from your university. Find out if there is a student residence for you to stay in. Also, be part of university student groups on social networks, especially those aimed exclusively at renting rooms in student residences.

When it comes to financing, a majority of students opt for different types of tuition funding. Some get scholarships from the State or other institutions, others fund themselves or seek finances from their families, while others opt for Bank Credit. To ensure a smooth sail towards your career path, discover the financing option for your studies that Caixa has for you. Check out our service - Credibolsa.
What is Credibolsa
Created specifically for student workers and/or parents, and guardians, Credibolsa supports those who want to finance their training and/or their students.

Caixa's Private customers can use this line of credit for their secondary, higher education, or Technological Specialization Courses, both in national and foreign schools.

To have training that suits you, get to know the option of Credibolsa da Caixa.
Tips for students away from home
Now that you know the information about CrediBolsa, it is time to prepare before the first class. Especially for those who have to move away from their parent's house. Studying away from home, in another city, island or country requires different planning. Depending on the period of study (Bachelor, Master, Specialization, or Doctorate), it is crucial to know the size of the investment and the payment method.

   a. Make a checklist of everything that will be essential for your trip. Also, list the cost of the round-trip airfare. Buy in advance for promotional discounts. Learn to pack your bags so you can carry as many things as possible inside them;

   b. Know your income and expenses - List the amounts you will receive (parental allowance, scholarship, etc.). Then list your expenses. Start with fixed expenses, such as rent, condominium, and college tuition. Then, write down variable expenses, such as food, clothing, leisure, etc. If expenses exceed income, reducing or even cutting some expenses may be necessary. 

   c. Plan your spending: Set spending goals for each category of your budget according to your possibilities. It is important to control your expenses during the month to make sure that you are staying within the established goal;

   d. Learn to cook – Eating out is getting more and more expensive. So save your money by cooking whenever you have time;

   e. Be careful with leisure - When you're in college, leisure options abound. Value your time and money by choosing programs well and setting exit limits. Prioritize student or free events. 

   f. Library: use and abuse - Make your university library your second home. Your college library is one of the best places to study and also saves you money. In the library, you will have free access to wireless internet. With that, you start saving your Mobile data package. Another attraction of the library is the possibility of easy and free access to books requested by teachers in the classroom;

   g. Create an emergency reserve - Life is full of unforeseen events. So, have an emergency reserve in case some unexpected expense arises, such as books that need to be bought, a late bill, or an interesting lecture at college. Even those who don't have a high income can save money with some changes in habits.

   h. Be careful with easy credit - Due to the more competitive rates, the university checking account is usually the best option for those who are in college. However, you need to keep an eye out for the offers offered by your bank. It is common for financial institutions to make products such as overdrafts, credit cards, and personal credit available without even doing a credit analysis. Don't fall into that trap and just spend what you have.

Best wishes in your endeavors.

Keep in mind: Effort, discipline, and perseverance are the key to success.
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