trying to get an idea of how much college really costs. Think once tuition and your residence hall fees are paid for that you’re covered? Think again.
In addition to the major costs of tuition and having a roof over your head, there are many other necessities to consider. There are also plenty of UNNECESSARY expenses...but we’ll get to those later.
Take books and supplies. According to College Board, the national average for the necessary materials you need for class at four-year public colleges in 2009-10 is $1,122. Keep in mind, this is an AVERAGE. Bringing your own laptop to school with you? Add the price of a computer and software. Majoring in a creative field like architecture or graphic design? Talk to the department head for an estimate of yearly costs for those canvases, paints, brushes, and print shop jobs that you’ll have to rely on every time you make a presentation. They can add up…quickly!
And what happens if you get sick? If you’re lucky, maybe your roommate will heat you a bowl of chicken soup in the microwave and let you have complete control of the remote until you feel better. But what if you’re knocked down with more than a cold? Will you still be covered under your parents’ insurance? Do you even know where the campus infirmary is located? Just a few things to consider…
And let’s talk about the most important necessity of all – FOOD! Now, you may be enrolling for a campus meal plan. At some places, there meal plans are required for first-year students. A meal plan can be a great option for some…and a not so great option for others. Check to see how many meals per day/week this covers and then think about how much you REALLY eat. By the way, you might also check the hours food will be served—I don’t know too many college students who get up to eat at 6:00 A.M.! And don’t kid yourself into thinking you can honestly be satisfied with PB & J 24/7 just so you can use your food allowance toward something else. When your new friends invite you put for pizza on a Friday night, are you really gonna turn them down so you can sit in your room, alone, with a jar of Jif® ? Think about it.
All this to say…it’s never too early to sit down with your parents and put together a realistic budget for your next year in college. What are they paying for? What are YOU paying for? What will be covered through scholarship/financial aid? Make a list of everything you think you will need over the course of the year and tally your estimated total. Then go back and revise the list to cover what you REALLY need. More on that next week…
Woof,
Clyde
