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As we get further into the summer, it's time to start thinking about moving into college. For some, it might only be a month away, and for others, it may be more like a month and a half! Regardless of your move in date, you've probably already been coordinating with your roommate(s) how you want to decorate your dorm room. When it comes time to purchase dorm decor, it can leave your wallet feeling a little thin. Lucky for you we've come up with creative ways to design your dorm room on a budget. If you're looking for some design inspo, you have come to the right place!

It might not sound appealing to live on a college budget, even after you have graduated. But if you want to repay your student debt quickly, this is the smartest route to take. We get that having a bigger salary is exciting and you probably want to buy things you weren't able to in college. But, we recommend that you continue living like a college student before you start to enjoy life's luxuries and until your debt is repaid. Example: skip out on the fancy dinners and the brand new car and allocate that money towards your student debt. We've gathered some tips and other daily savings tricks to help you stay on track and sail towards debt freedom faster!

Summertime is finally here and the beach is most definitely calling your name, but it doesn't mean that you should slack off when it comes to college planning. Sure, use this time to relax and spend time with family and friends. But also use your recess from school to get ahead with planning for college. There are some things you should continue to think about and do as  your senior year quickly approaches. Here's our short list to keep you on track this July! 

Refinancing can be a great way to save money and combine your student loans into one easy to manage monthly payment. Refinancing is typically a draw for those who are looking to reduce their interest rate, lower their monthly payments, or both! If a lender rejected your application, you might be feeling disheartened. Don't get yourself down just because one lender denied you; it doesn't mean there's nothing left for you to do. We've rounded up some tips to help you recover from your rejection and take control of your student debt.

All too often, when students and parents are searching for the best deal for their student loans, they focus on finding the lowest rate, but forget to consider the rate type. Later, when they are in repayment, they are often shocked when their monthly payments change. This is why it is critical that you don't only look at your student loan interest rate, but also pay attention to the type of rate that you are being offered. 

If you are in need of a loan for college, it is important that you understand how to compare your options in order to get the best deal for your family. 

Students typically should borrow Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans before seeking a loan elsewhere. These loans have low fixed rates and the most flexible repayment options on the market. If your family applied for financial aid, these loans would have been included in the student's financial aid award letter. 

However, federal student loan options have annual borrowing limits and unfortunately, for many families, the amounts aren't enough to cover the total amount they need to pay to the college. That is where other options come in and when comparing becomes necessary. 

The remaining loan types fall into three major categories: federal, state-based, and private. 

Are you wondering, "What the heck is a portfolio?" or "OMG! Here's another thing I have to add to my to-do list!"? Let me put your mind at ease: a portfolio is not necessary for every student. A portfolio is generally used for students planning to pursue the Fine Arts or Performing Arts field at the college level! If you fit into one of the two categories listed above, let's explore further on how a portfolio can actually compliment your college applications.

Summer is right around the corner and you are probably itching to get out of the classroom to sit back, relax, and soak up some sun.  But, just because school is about to be out doesn't mean you should leave your college planning by the wayside. Seniors should keep an eye on their mailboxes for important information from their colleges and should focus on saving up for college by finding a summer job. Juniors should find teachers willing to write their letter of recommendation and work to contribute to their college fund. Check out our full list of college planning tips for June below!

If you are serious about landing a job, you need to dress the part. The way you present yourself is someone's very first impression of you, so show people you're serious about the work you are doing. According to Business Insider, a person's first impression of you is formed within 7 to 17 seconds of first meeting you, and those 7 to 17 seconds will account for 55% of that person's opinion of you.

It may seem that this school year has taken forever but, you'll be basking in the sun before you know it. Just because summer is coming doesn't mean you should put off  thinking about the next steps to take for college. Seniors and their families should begin to crunch numbers and determine how much they will need to borrow for school, if any. Juniors, on the other hand, should continue to build a list of colleges they are interested in attending and visit the schools. Get all our college planning tips for May below.