The numbers are big: $37,667 is the estimated cost of tuition and fees for this academic year at Syracuse University, according to SU’s Office of Financial Aid. On top of that, college students will drop an estimated $808.71 on apparel, electronics, dorm furnishings and food, according to a National Retail Federation survey by consumer intelligence firm BIGresearch. Don’t let them scare you — these three loopholes on campus will help you cut costs and keep that cash stashed safely in your pocket.  

 

1. Hitch a ride

For students without cars, paying for bus or train fares to head home for the weekend can be pricey, said Greg Boilard, a sophomore communication and rhetorical studies major. As Student Association’s co-chair of the Student Life Committee, Boilard headed the launching of RideShare at the end of last semester.

After logging into SyracuseRideShare.syr.edu, students at SU and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry are matched up according to their point of destination, Boilard said.

‘It’s a easy way to save money,’ he said. ‘And it’s an outlet for students to go to instead of searching around and asking people about rides.’

Students can also check out the Share the Fare bulletin board in the atrium of Schine Student Center, said Bonnie Kong, a senior public policy and economics major and SA’s Academic Affairs Committee chair. She added that SA will continue to provide a free shuttle service before the Fall and Winter breaks. The shuttles arrive at Schine on the hour and take students to the Syracuse Hancock International Airport and the Regional Transportation Center.

 

2. Haggle away

In February 2011’s Start-up Weekend Los Angeles, a 60-second bout of inspiration gave birth to Zaarly U, an online community marketplace, said Adam Hofmann, director of marketing and community development. After registering, users can request items they need from people in their communities and barter on prices.

‘If somebody sets a price for a book that’s too low for what you’re willing to give,’ he said, ‘you can counteroffer and say, ‘I have the book, but five bucks is too low. I can give it to you for 15.”

Zaarly U will launch campus representative programs in 20 universities and colleges early September, Hofmann said. The teams of students will act as the eyes and ears of Zaarly U, directing sales, marketing and coordinating events.

‘The next logical step was to take it to universities because they’re such tight knit communities,’ he said. ‘And Zaarly U is a unique way to connect with other students and also make some extra cash.’

The East Coast team plans to create an SU team with the help of Elizabeth Ruscitto, a graduate student at the School of Information Studies. As a mentor for the Syracuse Student Sandbox, Ruscitto presents talks on entrepreneurship, and during her rounds to classes this fall, she will mention Zaarly U and recruit interested students, she said.

Zaarly U is ideal for financially savvy students, Ruscitto said. Not only can students post requests for textbooks and class notes, but they can also request help for moving, car repairs and even fresh baked goods.

‘Say it’s your friend’s birthday and you can’t get to Wegmans,’ she said. ‘If someone has a kitchen on campus, you can ask that person to bake cupcakes for you. That’s pretty cool.’

 

3. Work it

As her pocket money for food and groceries dwindled, Julie Dellinger, a junior public relations and information management and technology major, decided to apply for work-study using a form of federal aid based on financial need.

After filing a FAFSA form through the Office of Financial Aid, eligible students are awarded a set amount of money that they can earn at a job through Student Employment Services, Manager Camille Donabella said.

On Aug. 29, SES will host an event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Schine 304 A, B and C. Students can fill out I9s, employment eligibility forms and meet with potential employers, including the Carrier Dome and Syracuse Stage.

Last September, Dellinger stopped by the office’s fair and landed a job as a cashier in the University Bookstore.

‘It helps lighten the burden on my parents so I don’t have to call them as much for money,’ Dellinger said.

Students can also look for both work-study and nonwork-study jobs on SUjobopps.com, where there are currently 87 job postings, Donabella said. Both on-campus departments and off-campus employers — including Westcott Community Center, SUNY Upstate and Wegmans — post on the site. Last year, SES employed 6,500 students on campus, Donabella said.

‘We have a priority to support our students in every way possible,’ she said. ‘And one way we do that is by hiring them so they can earn a paycheck.’

kkim40@syr.edu

Published on August 23, 2011 at 12:00 pm