What's the Deal: Tips to save thousands on college expenses

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- College students are starting to head to campus for the new school year and it's no secret the cost of that degree is mounting.

Ann Jacob, a senior at Ohio University, wrote a savings blog for Yahoo Finance and gives us some inside tips.

In it, she breaks down the ways she has saved thousands of dollars in college expenses.

First, she says before the semester starts, go through your bill with a fine-tooth comb and start cutting unnecessary fees.

For instance, she says going on her parents' health insurance plan and opting out of the school plan saved her $988 a year.

When it comes to those important college textbooks, Ann said she's never bought a full-price book.

She says one book was $101 at the school bookstore and only $17 on a site called BigWords. She also recommends Abebooks, Amazon and Ebay.

Also - consider e-books! They are free - and there's always the library.

She also recommends applying for scholarships - not just as a freshman, but every year.

She used an APP called Scholly which helps you find scholarships that match your criteria, like your state, major or GPA.

Also, make friends with the folks at the financial aid office.

She also has creative tips on cutting living expenses - some you might not have thought of!