MYRTLE BEACH - If college students in South Carolina are any indication, spring break this year will be a frugal affair.

Some plan to get away for just a day or two. Others plan to work and pad their pocketbooks, and a few said they're heading to the Grand Strand either because it's likely to cost less or they have friends or family here to stay with. Whatever their plans, finances have played a more significant role in the decision this time around.

For students at the University of South Carolina, the annual break is this week.

Matt Black, a first-year student from Spartanburg, is bringing six of his close friends to the area for the week. He said the group chose Myrtle Beach after considering more expensive destinations.

"We couldn't afford too much, so we came to the beach," Black said.

Barin Powell, a third-year student from Batesburg-Leesville, is staying with a group of about 20 students inside a beach house in the Cherry Grove section. One of his friends owns the beach house, so he too chose Myrtle Beach to save money.

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