A few months ago I wrote an article with some of the best gifts you can give a graduating college student. With school about to start again, I wanted to tackle the topic of the best gifts you can give current college students.
Whether you are getting your college student a back to school gift or birthday present, the best gifts for current college students must be practical (just like the best gifts for grads). College is another step towards independence and learning to function in the real world, therefore practicality is essential for getting by.
Here are my top 5 picks for the best gifts to give current college students.
Gas Card
Whether your college student has to drive to campus or likes to come home to visit their family frequently, a gas card (i.e. Shell, Exxon, or Arco) is a great gift to give especially since the price of gas is going up. Does your college student not have a car or go to school too far from home to drive home? Get them an Amtrak gift card or get them a gift card to a major airline (i.e. American Airlines, Southwest, or Delta) to help ease the financial burden of making the trip home.
Grocery Store Gift Card
Everyone has to eat; there is just no getting around it. So why not help your college student with the cost of food? Most major grocery store chains (i.e. Albertsons, Ralphs, and Vons/Safeway) offer gift cards. Giving the gift of food is one of the best gifts you can give and your college student will thank you when their fridge is well stocked with late night study snacks.
Cell Phone Gift Card
It seems most students today have a cell phone. However, cell phone bills tend to take up a huge chunk of a college student’s budget. Find out what service provider your college student uses and get them a gift card to use towards their next cell phone bill. Most major carriers (i.e. Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T) offer gift cards.
Contribute to Their Tuition Costs
We all know that tuition prices are going up, making it more difficult for students to afford to pay for all the classes they need in order to graduate. No matter how much you can afford to give, every little bit helps and a gift that helps your college student pay for their education is one of the most generous gifts you can give.
Amazon.com Gift Card
While it isn’t always necessary to buy books for classes, most college students end up paying an arm and a leg for textbooks. Get your college student a gift card to Amazon.com to help them pay for some of their books.
You will notice that actual money or gift cards that can be used like cash did not make this list. I left them off for a reason. Most college students have not had a class in budgeting and therefore do not completely understand how to manage their money. As a result, simply handing over cash to them (or a gift card that can be used like cash) may not result in them purchasing what they need to get by. It is not uncommon for college students to spend more money than they should on things they don’t need (i.e. booze at the liquor store or another pair of jeans at their favorite clothing store). By providing them with any of the above gifts, you are ensuring that they are purchasing the items they need while helping them see where their money should go.
As a recent graduate, I know I would have been thrilled to get any of the above items as gifts. I’d be willing to bet your current college student would be too!
Have any great gifts for current college students not listed above? Share them in the comment section!
