You’re busy completing your child’s FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) hoping he or she will qualify for scholarships and Pell Grants so your out-of-pocket college expense is minimal.  Keep college living costs down by sending your student off with discount gift cards from Plastic Jungle.

Have you thought about his or her graduation party?  (May and June are only a few weeks away!)

Instead of party guests guessing what to buy your student, tell them about Plastic Jungle discount gift cards that your student will use.  It’s a win-win.  They spend less and your child is sent of with something practical that they will use.

A great tool for creating a registry for any occasion (graduation, wedding, baby, etc.) is MyRegistry.  This free online tool creates one registry from all online stores and items your student wants to add to their wish list.  You can use MyRegistry to add Plastic Jungle discount gift cards to your child’s graduation party registry.

For Dorm Life

Party guests will want to bring your grad a gift.  While your grad can set up a registry at Bed Bath & Beyond and at other retailers, you can also create a wish list of discount gift cards that your student can use towards a microwave, coffee maker, mini-fridge; hygiene products; clothing; and other basic items that will go a long way on a college student budget.

Consider adding these brands to the list…

For Small Appliances

Yes, your child can pick up a cup of coffee from a local coffee shop daily on the way to class for $2-4 a cup.  Or, for less than a semester’s worth of coffee, your student can use Williams-Sonoma gift cards to get a decent coffee maker that’ll let them make coffee that tastes just as good but costs even less!  Your student can get breakfast on the run with a microwave or toaster from JCPenney or Macy’s.  Encourage guests to buy JCPenney (13% off) or Macy’s (8% off) discount gift cards and they’ll save money and your student will have a strong start to their school day.

For Bedding

Tucking in your son or daughter will be covered in love with Macy’s, Pottery Barn Teen, and JCPenney gift cards.  Find bedding, sheets, comforters, pillows, and quilts that’ll personalize their dorm room and remind them of home.  Send your teen to the “Design Your Own Bed” portion of PB Teen’s website and let them loose to create the place they’ll be laying their head after a long day of class.

For Hygiene Products

Your daughter might not be able to have candles in her on-campus housing, but she would probably appreciate having a nice body wash and lotion to spice up her life.  Give her the ability to choose her favorite scents by sending her off with JCPenney, Bath & Body Works, and Macy’s gift cards.

College Saving Tip:  If you haven’t heard of or completed a FAFSA and your child is a high school senior planning to enroll in college, don’t pass up this opportunity to earn them additional scholarships and grants.  Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov for more details.