College Costs
There are many more costs to college than just tuition, but tuition is definitely a big one. The cost of your tuition can be calculated 2 different ways. This depends on whether you are full-time or part-time.
If you are going as a part-time student, this usually means you are taking less than 12 credits or 3 or less classes per semester. In this case, you will most likely be charged per credit. Depending on the school you choose, this can cost anywhere between $100 and $1,000 per credit, maybe more.
When put this way, college seems a lot more expensive. It can be a motivator to know how much you are paying for each class. If you are paying $1,000 per credit, that equals $3,000 for a 3 credit class. You’ll think twice before you decide to skip classes that could cause you to fail.
Most students just out of high school who are going to college for the first time go full-time. To be considered a full-time student you have to be taking between 12 and 18 credits. In some schools, it is possible to take more, such as 21 credits, but that is overly ambitious. You’ll possibly be sacrificing the possibility of getting As in those classes as well as being able to work and have a social life.
Along with tuition, they tack on fees. These include activity fees, computer fees, lab fees, alumni fees, and others. You will also need to buy health insurance if you aren’t covered under your parents or another plan. This can be pricey.
Look carefully at these fees and make sure you aren’t paying for things that you don’t need. Some are optional and if you don’t want to pay them, you need to make sure you are filling out the correct paperwork, if necessary.
The next major fees are room and board. This will depend largely on whether you live on campus or with your parents. If this is your first year of college, your parents probably won’t charge you and probably not through the next four years either. You need to discuss this with them before school starts.
If you are going to live on campus, you will need to pay for your room and purchase a meal plan. The cost of the room will depend on several factors. Is it a single, double, triple, or quad? This refers to how many beds it has. It will also depend on if it’s a part of a suite.
The difference in the costs will vary from school to school. Some schools even offer apartment style accommodations. The differences in prices may vary by a couple hundred dollars each semester. You shouldn’t have to pay the same amount for the same sized room shared with 3 other people that someone else gets all to themselves.
As a freshman, you usually get to choose your room last. They often have dormitories, now most referred to as resident halls, just for freshman. As you go on through college, you may even decide to get an apartment with friends off campus.
Then there is the meal plan. Of course, if you life off campus, you won’t need to purchase one. Some schools do offer a commuter meal plan. This might give you the option to put $20 or $50 on your ID card for times when you are on campus during a meal or just need something to eat. Most will still let you pay with cash.
As a freshman living on campus, they usually require you to buy a certain size meal plan. They may require you to buy 10 or 21 meals per week. Some people choose to skip breakfast, not recommended, or carry cereal bars or other food for breakfast and snacks in their room. This might save you money.
As a sophomore or older, you may or may not need to purchase a meal plan. It’s up to you. It’s best to look into it and decide which would be cheaper. The meal plan would probably be cheaper than McDonald’s twice a day.
After the major expenses come the little things. The biggest of the little expenses is probably a computer, but at least it’s a one time expense. Not every school requires you to purchase a computer. There are usually several computer labs all over the campus. Still, it might be a good idea to purchase your own.
The rest of the costs depend on you. If you drive on campus you will need gas. If you want to do anything fun, you will need spending money. When you first move into your dorm, you’re probably going to want to spend some money on dorm essentials: bedding, lamps, posters, etc. For school work you’ll probably need to pick up some school supplies: notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.
You can definitely save a lot of money on these little costs. The simplest way? When you want to buy something but you don’t need it, don’t buy it. That really was simple wasn’t it?
Of course, it’s easier said than done. You can start with your dorm room décor. When you first move in, you’re going to want to go all out and make your room look fabulous. Maybe you’ll want to show off your design skills to your new roommate.
After a month or so, you’ll notice that you either spend little time in your room, or you couldn’t care less what it looks like. Now do you regret spending $200 on a throw rug that only gets kicked across the room anyway?
Think before you spend and only buy what you absolutely need. If you want to be stylish, there are many stores that offer cheap and chic decorations. Be sensible. Also, try to pick things that will last you most or all of your school. There’s no sense in buying a new comforter every year.
