Tax Day is next Monday, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is due in less than a month and money is on the mind of just about everyone at this time of year.

As students, we invest thousands of dollars and enter the sinking hole of student loan debt to receive an education at an institution that raises its tuition figures every academic year.

Director of Financial Aid George Santucci told The Globe in an interview last semester that 97-98% of the student population receive some type of financial aid, and one student will not have the same financial situation as another.

For instance, some students were born into families with more money than others and some students individually make more money than others at part-time or full-time jobs. Unemployment, family crises and other exceptional circumstances can also significantly impact a student’s financial situation.

On a campus in Downtown Pittsburgh, we often spend our money at one of many pizza joints, fast food restaurants and The Milkshake Factory. Then, when the city sleeps following rush hour during the week, we spend money on gas or an Uber to take us away from the city to The Waterfront or South Side Works.

The point of all this is money is apparent in every aspect of our lives, and financial responsibility can only increase as we age.

To define responsible, we mean we can’t buy the college special from Pizza Fiesta every Friday and Saturday night like we used to.

Some students are fortunate enough to have their parents still pay for their car and health insurance, cell phone bill and rent. These responsibilities will soon fall on every single one of us as mom and dad ease the parental grip on our lives.

Exercising smart money habits now will only benefit us in the future. The temptation is around us with so many locations to dine, drink, shop and enjoy entertainment otherwise. As students, we should learn to budget, save money and compile a savings if we do not already have one.

Finances impact us in more ways than students realize, so let’s be proactive and mindful with our money.