OK, so you know there’s tuition. But what are some other college costs that can sneak up on you? As you plan your college budget, use this list as a guide:
$____ Housing. Whether you live in a dorm, apartment or fraternity or sorority house, this will be a big chunk of your budget. Having a roommate (or four) can bring the cost down, but make sure you're all on the lease so you're not legally stuck with the whole tab.
$____Food. You have a lot of options: an all-inclusive board plan through the college, buy your own meals or some combination. Try to hit the grocery store for healthier, less costly staples, not expensive convenience marts. And remember, living off pizza can still add up!
$____Transportation. Keeping up with car payments and rising gas prices can really add up, but this is a necessary expense for many working and commuting students. Look at taking the city and/or campus bus to alleviate some of the costs and hoof it or ride your bike when you can.
$____Parking. Few students can make it through four years of college without a collection of parking tickets as souvenirs. Carry lots of change with you – an extra quarter is worth avoiding a $20 ticket. Better yet, map out where parking garages are – they’re usually a better deal. And you don’t have to run out in the middle of class to plug the meter!
$____Fees. Check your college statements carefully and you’ll probably notice activity, computer and miscellaneous fees. Usually, these are separate from tuition, so students don’t know they have to shell out an extra $50 to $300 per semester.
$____Books. There’s no way around this one if you don’t want to flunk your classes, but it does pay to shop around. Students can pay upward of $500 per semester, so comparison shop between bookstores and browse online. Don’t be afraid to go with used texts – you can save more than 50 percent sometimes.
$____Utilities. If you don’t live on campus, or even if you live in family housing, chances are you’ll have to pay for at least one of these: electric, gas, water, phone, cable, Internet and sewer. Look for apartments where some or all utilities are included. Think about if you really need ESPN or HBO and if you can get by with going online when you’re on campus.
$____Computers. This is a costly purchase, ranging from $500 to $1,500. If you can feasibly research and write your papers at computer labs, you may be able to skip this one. But increasingly, as students take online classes and more courses incorporate online elements, a personal computer is becoming a necessity. Don’t forget the additional costs of a printer, ink cartridges and paper. The good news is many colleges offer discounted computers and software. And you can use these for years to come in the working world.
$____Housewares. So you’re living on your own. If you’re in the dorms, you might not need more than an extra blanket, toiletries and a reading lamp. But if you’re off-campus, you could have to buy everything from a bed to utensils to a vacuum cleaner. See if you can get a furnished apartment. If not, hit resale shops like Goodwill and watch for sales at discount stores. Don’t worry about interior design – mismatched décor is all the rage in college.
$____Travel. Don’t forget to budget how much it costs to go back home, whether it’s gas for your car, or a train, bus or plane ticket. Especially for out-of-state students, this can make a dent in your bank account.
$____School supplies. It’s amazing how much you can pay for a few pens, highlighters, notebooks and folders at the student bookstore. Don’t lop those on for convenience – go to an office supply or discount store off-campus and cut your bill in half.
$____Lab fees. Students in certain fields, especially sciences and engineering, will have additional costs. Usually, they’re minimal, perhaps $25 per class. But like anything, it can add up.
$____Clothes. Luckily, college is not a fashion show. In fact, it’s one of the few places where you regularly encounter people clad in pajamas. Make sure you have appropriate attire for work, but don’t spend a lot of your budget dressing to impress in the classroom.
$____Laundry. Don’t skimp on this one, no matter how tempting. Washing and drying a load is only about $2.50. Of course, you can always bring the bag back to your folks when you visit, as a college cliché.
$____Entertainment. College campuses and towns typically offer a dizzying array of options in music, movies, art, parties, sports and restaurants – that’s part of the fun! But it’s also a great way to drain your wallet. The bar scene is especially good for busting a student budget, so spend wisely.
Susan J. Demas is a 2006 Knight Foundation fellow in nonprofits journalism and contributing editor to EduGuide.