Easy ways to save on college and university back-to-school costs

One day it is high school homework and familiar routines, and the next, packing boxes for a dorm room or setting up a home study space. Starting college or university is an exciting time, but also an expensive one.  

With some planning and smart choices, you can manage the highest costs without feeling overwhelmed, whether you're a student living on campus, moving into a first apartment, or staying at home. 

Here are practical tips to help ease the financial transition of the back-to-school season while setting up for a great year ahead. 

Start at home before you shop 

Before anyone clicks "add to cart," it is worth looking at what is already on hand. You may be surprised by how many essentials are ready to make the move, helping cut down on back-to-school costs before shopping even begins.  

Extra towels, bedding and blankets tucked away in the linen closet can be perfect for dorm life. A quick look through the kitchen may also uncover mugs, utensils and cookware ready for a second round of use. Even a coffee maker, kettle or slow cooker can make the move, helping students settle into their new home without adding to the bill. 

The same goes for storage bins, organizers, and desk accessories, which can help furnish a new space without the cost of buying everything brand-new.  

Once the essentials are accounted for, make a checklist and focus on filling in the gaps. That one step alone could save hundreds before a single purchase is made. 

Make moving day budget-friendly

Getting settled into a new space is exciting, but the journey there can come with a few unexpected costs. Between transportation, fuel, packing supplies, meals on the road, and the occasional hotel stay, move-in day can be more expensive than many students and parents expect.  

Late August and early September are among the busiest times of year for moving, so rental vehicles can book up quickly, and rates often climb as the day approaches. Reserving a vehicle early is one of the simplest ways to secure better availability and pricing. 

A little preparation can also help avoid unexpected charges. Be sure to estimate how much space you will need before booking so you do not end up paying for a larger vehicle than necessary. Returning the truck with a full tank can also help avoid additional fuel fees. 

CAA Members can access preferred rates with Enterprise and Penske, helping make move-in day more affordable. If the move involves a longer distance, it is worth comparing one-way and round-trip rental rates, as pricing can vary significantly by destination and pickup location. 

Save on hotels during move-in weekend

If move-in day is a few hours from home, an overnight stay may become part of the move-in plan. Hotels near campus tend to fill up quickly as move-in weekend approaches, driving up prices. Booking early can help avoid both the scramble for a room and higher rates.  

If accommodations close to campus are already filling up, consider staying a little farther away and driving in on move-in day, as rates can be considerably lower outside the immediate area. 

CAA Members can enjoy savings at chains like Marriott and Hilton, helping make the move-in weekend a little more affordable.  

Make their new space feel like home for less

After the boxes are unpacked and move-in day is behind them, it is time to make a new space feel like home. Whether it is a dorm room or an apartment with roommates, furnishing a first home-away-from-home can quickly become one of the biggest back-to-school expenses.  

Start by bringing what you can from home and measuring the space before shopping. Smaller layouts can mean standard furniture will not fit, so having dimensions on hand can help avoid costly mistakes.  

Multipurpose pieces can also make the most of limited square footage. A storage ottoman provides seating and storage, while a loft bed can help create additional living space. 

When it's time to shop, CAA Members can earn CAA Dollars at stores such as Wayfair.ca, La-Z-Boy, Bouclair and Stokes.  

Shopping secondhand for larger items, such as desks, dressers, and shelving, can also help stretch the budget. Bedding, pillows, and bath items, however, are often worth buying new ones.  

Save on clothes and shoes

Between early-morning lectures, group projects, part-time jobs, and weekends with friends, students need a wardrobe that keeps up.  

However, not every item of clothing needs to be brand new. A few forgotten basics, unworn pieces or last year's favourites may be enough to shorten the shopping list. 

When it is time to add a few new pieces, think about what you'll actually wear most often. Comfortable shoes, a reliable jacket and everyday basics tend to see the most use throughout the school year. 

Shopping end-of-season sales is also a great way to save on fall essentials before temperatures start to drop. 

CAA Members can earn CAA Dollars when shopping at retailers like Old Navy, Roots, Simons, The Shoe Company, DSW and Foot Locker. They can also save 10 per cent at Rw&Co.  

Smart strategies for school supplies and tech

From notebooks and calculators to laptops and software, school supplies and tech can quickly become one of the biggest back-to-school expenses. 

The good news is that not everything needs to be a new purchase. Binders, calculators, and even half-used high school notebooks can often get another year of use.  

When it comes to new purchases, a little research can go a long way. Many schools offer discounts on software, technology and other essentials, so it is worth checking student pricing before paying full retail.  

Buying those frequently used items like paper, pens, and notebooks in bulk can also help keep costs down throughout the year.  

Staples can be a convenient one-stop shop for both basics and bigger tech purchases. Plus, CAA Members earn one per cent back in CAA Dollars on every purchase at Staples. For example, a $1,200 laptop earns $12 back. 

Trim phone and internet bills before school starts

A new laptop may be a one-time expense, but phone and internet bills are part of the monthly budget.  

Between submitting assignments online, attending virtual classes, streaming entertainment, and staying connected with friends and family, students rely on their phone and internet service every day. Finding a plan that fits both student needs and spending goals can help keep costs under control.  

It is also worth reviewing existing plans before the semester begins. Students moving away from home may no longer need unlimited data if campus Wi-Fi is readily available. In contrast, those living off campus may be able to split internet costs with roommates. 

CAA Members have access to exclusive rates through Rogers on wireless plans and home internet, offering savings that are not available to the general public.  

Stretch the grocery budget

Textbooks are expensive, but grocery bills have a way of sneaking up on students, too. Whether it is stocking a mini-fridge, cooking in a shared kitchen or grabbing ingredients for a week of meal prep, food is one expense that never takes a semester off. 

Surviving on instant noodles might sound like a student tradition, but a little meal planning can save money and make life easier. Keeping a grocery list, buying staples in bulk, and having a few easy meals in rotation can help keep food costs in check. Packing lunches and snacks ahead of time can also help avoid expensive grab-and-go purchases between classes.    

To save even more, purchase Sobeys gift cards through the CAA gift store before each grocery run. CAA Members earn five per cent back in CAA Dollars, effectively discounting every food shop without changing where essentials are bought.  

Even the most organized students have nights when cooking is not on the cards. From late-night study sessions to group projects that run longer than expected, takeout is sometimes part of the plan. 

For those inevitable study nights that call for delivery, Uber Eats e-gift cards through the CAA Gift Card store also earn five per cent back, making takeout a little more budget-friendly. 

Coffee break 

Once the grocery budget is sorted, there is one more campus staple worth talking about: coffee. 

Coffee is practically a campus essential, whether it helps power through an early lecture, a late-night study session, or a long day between classes. Those daily stops can add up quickly over the course of a semester. 

CAA Members can earn five per cent back in CAA Dollars when purchasing Tim Hortons gift cards through the CAA store, helping make those daily coffee runs a little more affordable. While the savings on a single cup may seem small, they can add up over the course of a busy semester. 

Cut the cost of trips between home and campus 

Heading home for Thanksgiving, reading week, the holidays or a much-needed home-cooked meal can quickly become part of student life. Those trips may seem small on their own, but the cost of getting back and forth can add up over the course of a school year. 

CAA Members save three cents per litre at Shell, plus 10 per cent off eligible in-store purchases, savings that add up quickly over a year of back-and-forth trips. 

Students taking the train should book VIA Rail tickets early, particularly for Thanksgiving and winter break, as they sell out fast. CAA Members save up to 20 per cent on VIA Rail fares, so booking ahead stretches the budget even further.   

For road trips, CAA Members also get preferred pricing with Alamo and National, while subsidized campus transit passes can help cut everyday travel costs closer to home.      

One more way to save 

A CAA Everyday Membership is one of the smartest ways to stretch a school-year budget. Beyond roadside coverage, it unlocks year-round savings on groceries, fuel, clothing, travel and more.  

Whether you are heading off to school yourself or helping a student get ready for the year ahead, a Membership makes it easier to manage costs from move-in day through finals. 

Not a Member yet? Join today or gift a Membership to the student in your life and start saving from day one.