These costs can add up fast, but there are some simple ways to cut them and save big.
School-Related Costs (Beyond Tuition)
Tuition is just the base price of your education, really.
There are so many additional and essential costs that come with a formal education.
Parking
Parking is a big one.
You probably already know this, but you might not be aware of just how expensive these passes are.
A year after that, parking jumped to $100.
You want to be prepared not only for the initial price, but hikes like this, too.
But this applies to any of these costs, including tuition.
Some public transportation may even havediscounts for students.
Or, get around on a bike, if possible.
You could also carpool with a classmate and split the cost.
Books are a pretty common expense, so its hard to count them as a hidden one.
But its worth pointing out that you should be prepared for this expense, because its a pricey one.
The average student spends $1,200 on books and supplies each year,according to The College Board.
Here are a few options forsaving on textbooks:
Rent your books fromsites like Chegg.
Take advantage of buyback programs some retailers offer.
If it wasnt, I just skipped buying it.
This might not the best advice for new college students, but after a while, you adapt.
you could alsouse a site like RateMyProfessors.comto see if past students can offer any insight.
Taking Longer to Graduate
Before I started college, Id neatly planned out my next four years.
Long story short, It took a full semester longer to graduate.
This is a pretty common scenario for students.
But if you anticipate taking longer than expected,eLearners suggests seven tipsfor saving money on tuition.
But on your checkbook, all credits are not created equal youll save so much money.
Summer/Night classes:
Not only are summer semesters generally less expensive, but they are also shorter.
- Kill two birds with one course
Definitely overlap, if you want to graduate faster.
For example, a Shakespeare class often counts as both a theatre and English credit.
In my experience, these tips work.
Summer tuition wasnt quite as pricey, so I loaded up as much as possible.
And night courses (and online courses) helped me maintain a job while I was going to school.
I also looked for courses that overlapped and could count for both my major and minor.
If I didnt consolidate in this way, it probably wouldve taken me another semester to graduate.
Social Activities
Obviously, going out with friends usually costs money.
Bars, restaurants, and movie tickets add up.
But there are some seemingly cheap activities that can end up being really expensive.
Budget for any required clothing, travel, and special events.
These expenses could very well apply to extracurricular clubs outside of the Greek system, too.
If they want you to be a member, they will work with you.
Some have payment plans that allow members to pay their dues in smaller installments.
If your house is part of a larger organization, there may be scholarships or grants available for members.
Do research online or ask leaders in your campus chapter if they know anyone to contact.
Beyond checking with your chapter about payment options, weigh the costs and benefits of joining any college groups.
Traveling to Visit Family
Depending on where youre from, trips back home can be costly.
But flights and gas are still expensive.
The good news is, there are plenty of savings options.
you could save on flights bypurchasing at the right time, for example.
Your student discount should come in handy, too.
Sports
If your school is known for its sports teams, expect tickets to be expensive.
Here are a few common ones.
Laundry
Many students forget to factor this cost in their budget.
Most machines cost about $1.50 each for washing and drying.
At a few loads a week,thats about $9 to $12.
Plus, theres the added cost of laundry detergent.
On-campus laundry facilities may be more expensive, too, so check prices at nearby laundromats.
Dining Halls and Meal Plans
Like airport food, campus food can be a lot pricier.
The University of Louisiana, for example,offers a meal plan that costs $3,970for the academic year.
If you do your own grocery shopping, you’re free to spend considerably less than this.
Learning to cook at homeor even in your dorm roomcan save you quite a bit.
Websiteslike Student Recipescan help you make meals with cost effective ingredients.
Buy stuff on sale, then see what you could make with that stuff.
Of course, youll want to research your own campus meal plan options before making your decision.
And be realistic about your eating habits and schedule.
You might not have time to cook and go grocery shopping.
Plus, some schools have off-campus meal plans with food chains.
If youre going to spend money at these places anyway, you might consider opting for the plan.
Food is another area in which your student discount is golden.
Another option is finding a part-time job in the food industry.
Just confirm you buy the right stuff,because some items arent worth it.
Wevetold you how to get started with it.
Download a price comparison internet tool extension likeInvisible Handwhen you use it.
This way, when youre pricing stuff on Amazon, you know youre getting the best deal.
When youre living on a college student budget, small expenses like these matter.
When they add up, they can throw off your budget.
Image by Tara Jacoby.
