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On August 4, 2026, American Public University System combined with Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing to form a single higher education institution. American Public University System (the System) now includes American Public University, American Military University, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI). We are continuing to update our website to reflect our new structure.
A 2009 study by the Delta Project shows that students are covering more of the cost of their education than in the past, which means budgeting for college students is increasingly essential. Here are some ways you can make sure that your spending habits are in check
Track Your Spending For the first two weeks of each quarter or semester, record every expense you have in a notebook. Write down how much you spend, where you spend it and what you buy. Once you have all of the data, you'll be able to evaluate your habits and decide whether or not you're being smart with your money. For example, if you find yourself spending money several days a week on fast food, you may want to consider cutting down that amount by cooking at home.
Make A Plan Once you have an idea of your purchasing habits, develop a budget. Separate your expenses into different categories, like entertainment, books, food, and travel. Allocate a certain amount for each section every week. Try to take into account the due dates of any bills or the days you receive money. Spread out your spending as much as possible to avoid overdoing it in the first few weeks of the month and having to scrape by after that. You should also make sure to save some of what you're making, preferably in an account with a high interest rate.
Follow Through After establishing a plan for your monthly and weekly expenses, keep within the boundaries of your plan. Think ahead every week to see if you have anything new to account for. For example, if you know you need to buy more school supplies, put it into your budget. You may have to take some money away from certain areas and put it toward others on an as needed basis. Also, be aware that you can't always anticipate everything that happens.
An unexpected occurrence can wreak havoc on your budget, but if you alter your spending schedule accordingly, you should come out unscathed. Be realistic about what you can and can't afford, and plan your social life around it. If you can't really cough up the cash to go to the movies with your friends, ask them if they'd rather watch a film at home.
This article was transcribed by the Rasmussen University Blog team. Are you ready to take the plunge into a new, successful future? If so, learn more about our degree programs today.
This piece of ad content was created by Rasmussen University part of American Public University System to support its educational programs. Rasmussen University may not prepare students for all positions featured within this content. Please visit www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/ for a list of programs offered. External links provided on rasmussen.edu are for reference only. Rasmussen University does not guarantee, approve, control, or specifically endorse the information or products available on websites linked to, and is not endorsed by website owners, authors and/or organizations referenced. American Public University System (the System) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The System is comprised of American Military University (AMU), American Public University (APU), Rasmussen University (RU), and Hondros College of Nursing (HCN).
