One of the first lessons in a student’s university experience? Life can be expensive.
Figuring out how to balance rent, food, time with friends and all of the other costs life throws at you can feel like a course you never signed up for.
That’s a not-so-distant memory for alum Sydney Limoges, Bachelor of Arts ’25. When she began her degree at MacEwan, she moved into a two-bedroom apartment near campus with her best friend. Living away from home was brand new. So was managing a budget.
“I paid for everything myself,” says Limoges, who planned ahead and set spending goals to help balance her budget while she attended school.
That was important, she says, because behind the hard numbers, there is a lot going on in a student’s budget – and a student’s life.
“I forced myself to write everything down. If I didn’t see it, then I didn’t understand the impact of it,” she says.
The approach worked for Limoges, but there are lots of different ways to manage finances as a student. So, we asked students and helpful people around campus for their insider information on how to navigate the inflow and outflow of money.
Looking for something specific?
Money in
Whether you’re starting with a student loan or grant, gifts from family or your own savings, the money in your account is only the first step. Just as – or maybe even more – important is having a plan for how you’re going to spend it.
“For me, one of the biggest challenges is balancing everything – trying to work, gain experience, stay involved, maintain relationships and have a life outside of school,” says Chhaya Langhnoda, who is in the final term of her Bachelor of Commerce program and co-president of the MacEwan Accounting Club.
“Budgeting isn’t about restricting myself from spending money. It’s about making sure I’m being intentional with it.”
MONEY IN
Build the right budget for you
Langhnoda recommends looking at your regular expenses for the past month or two to get a realistic idea of where you’re spending.
“Start with what you spend, not what you think you should spend,” she says. “Look back – you might be surprised by where your money is going.”
She also says that it isn’t about following an extremely strict budget – it’s more about keeping track and checking your accounts regularly.
“A realistic budget is much easier to maintain,” she says. “Leave some room for things you enjoy. Being a student doesn’t mean you can never buy a coffee or go out with your friends.”
MONEY IN
Skills for financial survival – budgeting
But not all students are equipped with a passion for, or even knowledge of, budgeting.
It’s one of the reasons accounting prof Michelle Malin and her colleagues created a full set of free online financial literacy modules.
The associate professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance says that developing those skills now will serve you for the rest of your life. Her advice? Begin with the budgeting course and start practicing those skills.
“Budgeting’s not hard. There’s no magic behind it,” she says. “But restricting your spending is not very fun.”
The free online financial literacy courses available to all MacEwan students are a great place to start, says Malin. Students who were surveyed before and after completing the modules said their financial literacy improved greatly.
MONEY IN
Jobs
You probably already know that many – if not, most – students have part-time jobs. But did you know that there are 220 student positions in MacEwan’s Campus Services department alone?
“Student employees help keep our campus running smoothly every day,” says Jennifer Garg, a director with Campus Services. “They bring energy and a valuable student perspective that helps us deliver services that are relevant, responsive and connected to the needs of our community.”
Where can you find a job on campus?
Check out Work Experience and Employment on MacEwan.ca (which also lists volunteer opportunities), the MacEwan Career Services Job Board and individual service areas like Residence and MacEwan Eats.
Looking for a job off campus?
If you’re looking for a job off campus, attend a MacEwan Career Services career fair to connect with outside organizations and employers. Plan ahead and be ready by connecting with Career Services for help with things like your resumé and job search.
Langhnoda, who got on-campus work experience in a co-operative position, says to make sure you’re careful about how much time you dedicate to work and outside commitments.
“There needs to be a balance between wanting to work more so you have more money coming in and school, which also needs your time and attention.”
She suggests taking full advantage of resources on campus to do that – scholarships and bursaries, textbook supports, food options and other things students get for free or that are included with student fees.
“Sometimes we assume those resources aren’t meant for us, but they are there for a reason,” Langhnoda says.
MONEY IN
Scholarships, awards and bursaries – did you get yours?
In the 2025/26 academic year, students received close to 7,000 scholarships, awards and bursaries – money that doesn’t need to be paid back. And, there is no cap on the amount of funding or number of scholarships you can receive.
Applying is easy. When you fill out the questions for one application, in myStudentSystem – through myPortal – you’ll automatically see all that you’re eligible for.
When completing your application, review the criteria carefully – some are based on year of study, GPA, financial need and more. If you need advice, the Student Financial Aid office hosts drop-in information sessions while applications are open, or you can meet one-on-one with a financial aid advisor and receive feedback before you submit your application.
Sana Malik, who works in the Fees and Financial Aid office at MacEwan, says to never rule yourself out.
“Every year, we see students who assume they won’t qualify or who believe someone else is more deserving,” she says. “But if you meet the eligibility criteria, it’s always worth applying!"
MONEY IN
Student loans
If loans are part of a your financial picture, Malik suggests applying as early as possible. Loans can help cover tuition, mandatory fees, books and some living expenses. Applying early means you’ll have the money available when you need it.
The Government of Alberta anticipates that 114,900 provincial student loans will be issued for the 2026/27 school year.
Money out
Once you have your budget set, there are places where you might be able to find some wiggle room, extra perks and support.
MONEY OUT
Food – stretch your food budget like cheese-pull on a pizza
You probably know about the importance of cooking for yourself, buying in bulk and using what you have on hand.
Food is expensive. So, if you need help, check out SAMU’s dedicated student food resources: monthly Produce Pop-Ups, weekly Breakfast Club and The Pantry.
The Pantry – add to your pantry
The SAMU Pantry is a confidential service available that active MacEwan student can register for and access entirely online.
“We make it as discreet as possible,” says Sydney Limoges, who began as a volunteer and is now the food support coordinator for The SAMU Pantry. “The Pantry is not just for students who find themselves in crisis – it can also be used to help you get through the month.”
Cheap-er eats on campus
Looking for affordable, ready-made food? Griffin’s Landing offers a $4.99 daily lunch. And community partners, including the Italian Centre and the Little Potato Company, often provide low-cost, pop-up lunch events.
Check out the MacEwan Eats Instagram for the most up-to-date schedule.
“Students already have so much to think about without worrying about food,” says Teresa Spinelli, president of The Italian Centre Shop and former MacEwan Allard Chair in Business. Partnering with MacEwan to offer affordable meals to students is one way she pays tribute to her father, who she recalls always helping, from simply giving a litre of milk to a family with none to donating to international rescue efforts.
“That’s just who The Italian Centre Shop is,” she says. “We’re all connected to food. The table is where we share stories, where business meetings happen, where we make new friends.”
MONEY OUT
Laptops, textbooks and other resources
Textbooks
Developed behind the scenes by MacEwan’s librarians, SAMU, the Centre for Teaching and Learning and the Bookstore, the Textbook Affordability program is about easing the burden of textbook costs, says Dr. Eva Revitt, associate dean of the library.
There are a few ways this happens.
- Digital textbooks are available to purchase for the length of your course or to rent – which is called inclusive access and costs less than the physical textbook.
- Physical copies of textbooks are available in the library and you can request a scanned copy of a single chapter of a textbook – but typically only one chapter because of copyright laws.
- Open education resources – supported on campus by an initiative where faculty can apply for a grant of $5,000 to develop an open textbook means that cost-savings go directly to students who don’t pay for these types of textbooks.
Did you know?
When you are planning courses for your upcoming term, you can filter in the course search for courses that don’t have a textbook cost and rely on open education resources or readings that come from the library or open internet.
Laptop lottery and short-term laptop loans
Every year, the library’s laptop lottery provides dozens of students with access to a laptop for the term. Keep an eye on the library’s social feeds to enter the Winter 2027 term lottery.
You can also borrow from the library’s fleet of MacBook Airs and Lenovo Think Pads for up to a week at a time.
Looking for tech for an assignment or a cheap way to spend a Saturday night?
You can save money by borrowing from the library rather than buying – anything from a VR headset, calculator and headphones to a phone charger, CDs, DVDs and board games. Check the library’s website to reserve ahead of time. And if you need a bit of help with writing, you can make an appointment with the Writing Centre (at the east side of the library) and get help from a tutor.
The Makerspace
All of the materials in MacEwan’s Makerspace are available for free. Visit during business hours to fix a pair of pants on the sewing machine, print something on a 3D printer, borrow a camera or scan photos – sometimes it’s those tiny extras that can add up, especially when big parts of a student budget are dedicated to other areas, like housing.
MONEY OUT
Housing
Housing is one of the largest costs in most budgets, and with downtown rental rates 10 to 20 per cent higher than other parts of the city, finding ways to save can make a big difference.
One option is MacEwan Residence, located right here on campus.
“Living in Residence is a great value. Everything – WIFI, power and furniture – is included, except for your food,” says Anthony Falls, director of Housing and Guest Services who lived in Residence as a student.
Seeing the difference that Residence Community Leaders made to her time in residence inspired Keziah Secrest, a Bachelor of Science student, to get involved. Now she’s a Community Leader. Secrest and other leaders lean on their experiences living away from home to create resources and offer tips and tricks – like budgeting hacks – to students in Residence. Her own hack: planning ahead, with a list and a menu, before she heads out to the grocery store and taking advantage of sales and coupons.
MacEwan also has a number of Off-Campus Housing options.
“We’re building relationships with partners who recognize the unique needs of students,” says Falls. “Together, we are exploring opportunities to improve access to housing that is safe, affordable, offers good value and is within walking distance of MacEwan.”
MONEY OUT
Making the most of your student fees
Student fees
Students at all universities pay mandatory non-instructional fees (MNIFs) that cover the cost of services like the UPass, gym access, a benefits plan and much more! And MacEwan’s fees are among the lowest in the province.
UPass
Your U-Pass gets put on an Arc card so you have access to unlimited transit while you’re in at least one credit course. (Fully online students are not eligible.)
The gym
Your fees also include access to the gym – aka Sport and Wellness. An ID swipe gets you into the pool, gym, drop-in fitness classes, the gymnasium and student-specific programs.
SAMU benefits
Your fees include health and dental benefits, but if you already have coverage through your parents or a spouse, you can opt out and not pay those fees.
Free (or almost free) stuff for students
From software to theatre seats, discounted Oilers tickets and affordable massages, MacEwan students have access to some sweet perks. Read about student deals here and check out SAMU-specific discounts here. And there’s no shortage of free or affordable fun around the City of Edmonton – from festivals in any season to a simple walk in the over 160 kilometres of river valley trails.
Balancing the books – the school surplus
“My education is an investment in the life and career I want to build for myself,” says Langhnoda.
The data backs her up – attending university can change the trajectory of a person’s life, from what kind of job they’re qualified for to how much they can earn. Statistics Canada and the Bank of Canada say getting a bachelor’s degree can significantly increase your earning potential.
But it’s not just about the money in your bank account, says Limoges, who finds herself back in the classroom this term to take a course she didn’t have time for during her degree.
“School is just so pivotal,” she says. “And even if I don’t go down the route that I originally planned, it was worth it. My time in university has given me the best years of my life, so far.”