Tuition, parking passes, rent, food and phone bills, these items are just a portion of the financial burdens piled on college students, and with rising gas prices things aren’t getting any easier.

Despite many exaggerated struggles, there are ways for students to make and save money while in college.

FastWeb has a long list of tips on its website on how college students can save money. Its top three money-saving tips are to buy or rent used textbooks and sell last semester’s books back, don’t make impulse purchases and to never go grocery shopping when hungry.

In a study conducted by Louisiana State University, 84 percent of the students consumed fast food and 54 percent consumed weekly. In addition, 57 percent of students spent $5 to $6 per meal.

With all of these expenses, it may become difficult for a college student to save money while in college.

“I had to find a balance between getting money and going to school,” said Sarah Skubic, full-time graduate student at Sacramento State.

Skubic said her parents paid for most of her undergraduate career, and not working the first couple of years made the transition tough. Skubic said she is finally able to stabilize her finances now that she’s in grad school because she has learned the concept of “time management.”

When it comes to insignificant spending, like fast food, Skubic takes no part.

“I always bring my own lunch,” Skubic said.

Skubic said bringing her own lunch is healthier, cheaper and cost effective.

Stuart Canton, junior English major, said it is impossible to save money and take on a full course load at the same time.

“You can’t save money, but you can save your tears in a jar,” Canton said.

While the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of making money may be a job, there are also many scholarships available geared toward a variety of different college students.

The Financial Aid Office in Lassen Hall makes it a point to post flyers around campus to encourage students to apply for federal student aid.

In late February, early March, students are reminded through their SacLink emails to apply for university and community scholarships. The link offers a variety of scholarships, including one for each major.

Freshman Sarah Williams said she is learning from her sister’s mistake of not saving up her money sooner. She is about to graduate and said she should have started building her savings a lot sooner.

Williams said it is imperative for college students to build up their bank accounts as much as they can.

“I have two jobs, and the majority of my paychecks go into my savings,” Williams said.