Boltbus or Megabus?

Both MegaBus and Boltbus were launched in 2008, which was an excellent time to attract recession-stirred folks looking for alternative modes of travel. Offering modern buses, outlets, free Wi-fi and extra legroom these buses quickly became the ideal choice of transit for college students, penny-pinching backpackers and even entrepreneurs who frequent major cities for business or pleasure.

So which to choose?


First, let's review the ammenities, as summed up by a travel blog.

WiFi: Bolt: Yes Megabus: Yes

Power Outlets: Bolt: Yes Megabus: Varies

Leg Room: Bolt: Good Megabus: Tighter

On Time: Bolt: Varies Megabus: Variess

Personnel: Bolt: OK Megabus: Great


Second, what about price?

A small sampling of the prices at the time of writing this shows Megabus to be a bit cheaper.

Bolt: 9/29 - $15
10/7 - $23-$32

Megabus: 9/29 - $10-$13
10/7 $13-$24


The Verdict? If you're interested solely in saving a buck, opt for Megabus. If leg room and/or power outlets are a deal breaker, choose Boltbus.


In addition to these options, there are always the more expensive alternatives such as Limo Liner or Peter Pan bus lines. Limo Liner rates were as high as $68, however, their advantage is leg room, smaller number of travelers and ease of access to the city. Peter Pan bus lines advertise rates as low as $1, however, in our comparison research we kept running into rates as high as $40. Lucky Star and Fung Wah buses also provide cheap transportation between Boston and NYC, except they have mixed reviews over safety and value, so the verdict is out on these two options.

Whether you are planning to travel now or in the future we hope this information was helpful. If you have any hot tips for cheap travel please let us know and we will post the info.

Happy Trails,
Savvy Student

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Welcome to Candidate Gateway...

The fall semester marks the start of a new academic calendar and a whole slew of opportunities, from new classes to new relationships and even student employment. Whether you have Federal Work Study or you just need some extra cash working on-campus is one of the most convenient ways to earn money.

In order to obtain on-campus employment you must:

• Receive a BLUE EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY CARD from the Office of Student Financial Services
  

In order to receive a blue card, you must come to the Office of Student Financial Services (located at Usdan 130) to complete the I-9 form. You must have acceptable original documents with you to prove your identity and your eligibility to work. The I-9 Form and the list of acceptable documents are available here.

*You will need to show your blue card to employers when you go into an interview so that they know you have completed all of the necessary paperwork.

• Use the NEW online website to apply for jobs
  

The website can be found here. If it is your first time on the website, you must register by clicking "Register Here." Before you are able to fully submit your job applications you will have to upload a resume to the website and enter some biographical information. Once you have successfully submitted the applications you will get an acknowledgement email. If the supervisor finds that your qualifications match their need they will contact you for an interview.

*Need resume help? Visit Hiatt in Usdan 15 or visit the Hiatt website here for tips, samples, strategies, and advice on crafting a stand-out resume.

• Sign up for direct deposit
  

After finding employment you will want to sign up for direct deposit, the most efficient way to receive your paycheck. After being hired, you will receive an email asking you to log on to sign up for direct deposit. You can also find the direct deposit website here.

*If you have any questions regarding your direct deposit, contact the payroll office. You can find their contact information here.

Happy job hunting!

~Savvy Student

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This Weekend: Music, Arts and Friends - What else could you Wish for?

While rushing to a 9 am class in the morning, you might notice that everyone seems to be walking even faster just to stay warm. Feeling the crisp fall breeze, getting your sweaters out - but wait, there is still some time left to enjoy the sun in New England!

The next two weekends in Boston are full of free events that YOU should be at!

September 17th

MixFest 2011 at the DCR Memorial Hatch Shell

Amongst the artists performing this year are: Lifehouse, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Michelle Branch, Sarah Bareilles and Javier Colon!

Septemebr 18th

Opening of the Linde Family Wing of Contemporary Art at the MFA

The MFA is celebrating the Opening of their new modern art galleries with a 24-hour event. The first 12 hours have ticketed admission, but on Sunday the 18th the Museum is free for all and is full of wonderful activities such as short films, zumba classes and a performance of the Boston Typewriter Orchestra! Check it out!

September 24th

Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival on Columbus Ave.

If you are too busy this weekend, no worries, there is something else to look forward!

During the weekend of September 23rd to 25th the Berklee College of Music is organizing their annual open-air music festival. On Saturday there will be several stages set-up on Columbus Ave. in the South End. In addition the street will be full of various vendors of food, clothes and jewelry! But the music and awesome atmosphere are FREE!

Savvy student hopes you will enjoy your time at any of the above!

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Buying Books? Here are your options!

As the Fall semester begins and the registration period is coming to a close, it's now time to start thinking about books; not just ordinary fun-reads, but must-haves for the classroom. And, as there are several options between buying new, buying used or renting Savvy Student is here to help you save money and navigate your options.

The Brandeis Bookstore has all of these options, and has all of your textbooks available. But be aware of the return policy! The bookstore also offers a buy back option at the end of the semester, where it offers students the option of selling their textbooks back. Make sure to ask the bookstore for info on that!

Websites such as Half, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble, are great places to start comparing prices. These sites offer textbooks at huge discounts, and there are options to rent, buy used, or buy completely new. It's up to you!

If you're a fan of renting books, there are several top notch websites that can help you do so. To compare all the rental prices, check out TextbookRentals. Also, a popular textbook rental source is Chegg, which even comes with a 21 day rental return guarantee, in case you decide to drop or switch classes. With flexible rental times and free shipping both ways, CampusBookRentals is also a great site. They offer a wide selection and are often very cheap!

In addition, Amazon let's students rent textbooks to their kindle, which provides an innovative alternative to a regular textbook. You can also buy books to your ipad. Textbooks are definitely keeping up with technology!

It's also useful to ask your professor if using an older edition is permitted, because previous editions are oftentimes cheaper than current ones. Usually there are minimal differences between the texts and professors don't mind. Also, some students prefer using the International Edition of a textbook, which is typically the exact same text, with a cheaper price tag.

We hope you try these tips since there are often lots of discounts when it comes to textbooks, it just takes a little time and effort.

Happy reading!

Savvy Student

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Hey First Years-Here's What You Don't Learn at Orientation...

Now that you're here and an official Brandeis student we want to give you the scoop on campus life- the real deal! We want to help you with your list of "Must Haves" and "Have Not's" for the semester. Think of Savvy Student as your "Dorm Life For Dummies" Guide, things we wish we had known entering Brandeis, but only recently discovered.



First and foremost, since we are a financial forum we found a really great article in Time Moneyland which features 9 awesome tips for students wanting to open their first credit card! You can't miss this editorial, so check it out here.



As a new student decorating your dorm room or at least adding a little "charm" to the painted brick is quite an undertaking. So, we have gathered a top ten list of the most important items that you will need to take along with you, as well as a list of the one's most students found unnecessary. And, what you might find topping the charts is probably not the first thing you would think to grab for, but landing at #1 is a First Aid kit, for obvious reasons. #2 Sewing Kit, not the "Project Runway" sewing machine, but the "I just lost a button- help" kit. #3 Fan, for those dorm rooms that get "hot, hot, hot". #4 Mini Vac, for those that like to keep it clean. #5 Quarters, quarters and more quarters for laundry, vending machines and the like. #6 Umbrella and Rain Boots because sometimes you just feel like "Singing in the rain"and not getting wet. #7 Flip Flops for the shower- it is a necessary evil. #8 Shower Caddy because you can't hold soap, shower gel, bath poof, shampoo and towel all at the same time- you just can't! #9 Desk Lamp or Book Light, for late night cram sessions when your roomie is fast asleep. #10 Extension cord, just because the outlets are not always in the most convenient of places.



Items on our not too hot list include over the door hangers-mostly because they don't fit and you will find yourself shoving the door closed. There is no need for door mats, decorative string lights or excessively pricey bedding and pillows. Remember you want it to feel like home, but you are moving into the dorms, not Shangri La. Save the nice stuff for your first place! Also less is more. The rooms may be too tight and cramped for lots of additional furniture. It is best to organize what to bring with your roomie(s) and to shop once you know your space limitations.



Once you have arrived and settled in you may want to explore campus and it's surroundings- greater Waltham, Boston or even The Cape. And, without a car what is the best way to get around? Well, Zipcar of course! Other options include the new bike share program in Boston, Hubway or DeisBikes right here on campus. With each of these programs students can inexpensively run errands or explore new areas. Check out the Brandeis Transportation Overview here. Zip Car requires a membership and driver's must be 18 or older. The cars are located in the Stoneman/Public Safety parking lot. Brandeis also offers shuttle service in and around Waltham, Cambridge and Boston.



In Rome, do as the Romans do, so at Brandeis, do as the Brandeisians do. Join a local bank and make it easy on yourself to get your Federal Work-Study funds or refund check fast. Bank of America, Citizens Bank and Sovereign Bank ATM's are located on campus in Gosman Sports Complex, Shapiro Campus Center and Usdan Student Center, respectively.



You probably don't know that Brandeis has a Classifieds section for students, faculty and staff. If you are looking to buy or sell your random trinkets, used books, etc. then you must check out what your fellow classmates have advertised. This is also a great place to search for off-campus summer housing and more.



Lost and Found- did you get distracted in class and leave behind your keys? ID card? IPod? Well, hopefully a good samaritan turned it in to Public Safety or the Shapiro Campus Center. If you left items behind at the Office of Student Financial and Academic Services then please come back to claim them. We have a lost and found drawer specifically for those days when students haven't recovered from their late night study sess.



Whether it comes in the form of new essentials for dorm room living, a Zipcar membership, or a new bank account, Savvy Student is there to guide you through your first steps at Brandeis and beyond. Check back throughout your time at Brandeis, you just might learn a thing or two.



~Savvy Student

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Need Extra Cash for Books? Try Student Employment...

For those of you who are in serious need of some spending or grocery money (and have some time in your schedule - school comes first!), landing a job may be your best bet. Job searching is time-consuming for everyone, and it can be especially challenging for college students who are busy taking 4 to 5 classes while holding multiple leadership roles in clubs and activities. Savvy Student is here to help.



The perfect place to start is our Student Employment website, where you can read up on employment eligibility while locating all of the necessary forms required to begin working. You may also research job opportunities both on and off-campus.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a grant funded work program. Students are paid by Brandeis, however, the wages are actually a combination of both university and federal funds. FWS is awarded to eligible domestic undergraduate students as part of their financial aid award. FWS students have hiring priority for most on campus jobs for the first month into the semester, and may work either on-campus or at an approved off-campus community service agency. However, FWS does not guarantee job placement - you still have to land the position based on your own merit (impression, resume, and interview).

University Employment

University Employment is a work program funded entirely by the university and is awarded to eligible international undergraduate students as part of their financial aid award. Students may work on-campus only.

Students who receive University Employment are also given priority through the first month of the semester. However, University Employment does not guarantee job placement - again, you have to earn the position on your own.

More information and frequently asked questions can be found here.

And here is a list of on-campus jobs that are currently being offered.

If you have questions, you can always contact Student Employment in the Office of Student Financial Services. Good luck and happy job-hunting!

Savvy Student

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The Fall Bills Are Out...Now What?

As the due date approaches for the fall 2011 bill you must be thinking, panicking or planning out how you are going to cover the semester balance. Take some deep breaths because Savvy Student has the 411 on ways to pay your bill. And, as diverse as our student population is, so are our payment options- made with you in mind.

1. Check or money order You have the option of mailing a check or money order. The mailing address for payments is

Brandeis University

P.O. BOX 4055

Boston, MA 02211-2003

2. Credit Card and electronic withdrawal from US checking or savings accounts Credit card and electronic payments can be made online at afford.com or through your sage account by selecting the “Account Inquiry” link in the Finances section . Next, select the “activity” link. The “Total Balance for all Terms” is the amount due. Credit cards accepted are Discover, MasterCard and American Express (fees do apply for credit card payments and Visa is NOT accepted) No fees apply to the direct withdrawal from checking/savings accounts.

3. Wire Transfer There is a new payment option for students paying by wire. We've contracted with Travelex, a global payments company. The new service, PAY24-7, will allow students to pay by wire at a reduced corporate exchange rate rather than the retail rate banks usually charge – a potential savings of 3% to 6%. We have updated the instructions on our bills and our website to reflect this new service. The link to the Brandeis Travelex PAY24-7 site can be found here. If you are having any difficulties submitting a wire transfer, please contact our office at 781-736-3700 or sfs@brandeis.edu

4. Cash, Checks, Money Orders, and Traveler's Checks You can pay with cash, check, money order or a traveler's check in the Office of Student Financial and Academic Services. The office is located on the second floor of Usdan. Cash payments exceeding $9,999 must be reported to the IRS and will require you to submit proof of identity.

5. 5 or 10 Month Payment Plan SFS understands that paying the full balance by the due date can be difficult for some families, which is why they joined with a third party system, Tuition Management System (TMS) to provide families the option of a payment plan. For a small application fee ($70 for both semesters or $50 for one semester), parents and students have the option of paying part of their bill the first of every month. To learn more or sign up for the plan, please contact TMS at 1-888-216-4258 or online.

You can view the complete list of payment options online at brandeis.edu/sfs. As a reminder the bill is due August 12th. Please make payment arrangements to ensure that you are not charged at late fee of $100 or 2% of what is due.



Savvy Student

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