how to make ends meet during a graduate program

Whether pursuing a Master's or doctoral degree, making ends meet during your graduate education can seem daunting. In addition to reaching out to your department and school student service staff to find out about fellowships, tuition reductions, and other ways to reduce education expenses, check out these tips.

apply for scholarships

Do some research to find out what scholarships you may be eligible for. Go beyond your department, school, and university and look at organizations that fund research related to your area of interest, or use scholarship databases to find opportunities aimed at certain professions or minority groups.

Then, apply! It will take time to write and organize your applications, but if you don't apply you won't ever get the funding. Put in the effort to write a good essay and ask mentors for recommendation letters with plenty of time before the deadline. Prepare for interviews and do some research into what questions you might be asked - oh, and get your best suit pressed (or go rent one!).

cut your living expenses

Look for ways to cut your living expenses, such as living with roommates, house-sitting, or moving in with family.

start trading

While you could barter services and goods to keep your costs down, that's not the kind of trading I'm talking about. I'm talking about stock trading!

​If numbers and finances come easy to you, learn more about investing in the stock market to make extra money to cover expenses. 

Image by Lorenzo Cafaro from Pixabay

If you're still in the planning stages and haven't started your program yet, start trading on the stock market in addition to your day job to start putting away extra money that will cushion your landing in the future and let you focus on your degree.

There are several trading options to consider including stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrency. Although many people may favor CFD Trading as their primary investment choice because they can make both short and long-term investments to maximize their returns.

What strategies have you used to help make ends meet?