YOUR MONEY
Smart consumer tips and strategies from Eyewitness News Online
College Calls
Dorm Dialing Costs With long distance rates on many college campuses exceeding 15 cents per minute, calling home from the dorm can blow a hole in your budget.
"If you're a college student, you really have to be aware about long distance options," according to Sam Simon, Chairman of The Telecommunications Research and Action Center or TRAC.
Simon says, "College students...in many cases on many campuses are used as profit centers for the college long distance calling. Colleges bring in their own system they hook up with long distance providers and are charging exorbitant long distance rates and telecommunications rates for their students."
Rates Rising! "It can be very expensive," says Simon.
He adds, "You could see rates on campuses like at hotels, it could be 25 cents a minute and even more during daytime calling."
Some Tips Check with the administration: If you go to a dorm and you're checking into your college you do need to check with the administration to see exactly what the rates are that you're going to pay. Call from a Cell phone: Many students are using cell phones and it's a very logical option because you want to be reached 24-hours a day anyway. Buy a prepaid cell phone: You could get a prepaid phone that lets you be on a budget and protect yourself. "It would be more cost effective...keeps you away from the outrageous rates that campuses...are charging to you right now," says Simon.
The Right Number! According to Simon, a great way to save money for parents is to choose a hometown phone number for their teen's cell phone. "You might want to take a phone number that's from where you're from rather than the phone number of the college. [Parents] can choose to have a local number that way their calls to their child is local."
Bright Idea! Get the right plan. According to Simon, students should get a plan that's unlimited nights and weekends. "Students are really good in staying up really late," he says.
Did You Know?
"Campuses could force you to pick a minimum level of service inside the campus," according to Simon.
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Dorm Dialing Costs
Check with the administration: If you go to a dorm and you're checking into your college you do need to check with the administration to see exactly what the rates are that you're going to pay.
Bright Idea! Get the right plan. According to Simon, students should get a plan that's unlimited nights and weekends. "Students are really good in staying up really late," he says.
Did You Know?
