More tuition: the cost of college

Many families find it difficult to estimate the cost of college, especially for the first child that goes to higher education. Application, of course, is the big-ticket items. But what other family expenses can I expect? How much budget should be for college? And what are the ways that you are reducing costs?

Housing

About tuition, find a place to live is the most expensive a burden on the budget of the University. Although some people forego these costs, living at home with their parents during the college years, most people have to find a place to live, it is because their parents live too far from school or because they want to learn to adulthood is and independence away from home.

Student residences are more expensive than the neighboring apartments in the rule, partly because dormitories are at a certain level and partly because college dorms are usually expensive diet. Some colleges, you can do without this food; not others.

Every college has a "standard" separated government for many years most students live on campus. Many colleges require freshmen to live on campus unless they have family at a distance from the campus. Some universities require students to live all four years on campus, while others encourage students to move beyond the first year off campus.

Students, which can reduce the cost of housing, sharing an apartment or house with roommates and off campus. Lives alone, is the most expensive option, since the overhead is larger: support a single tenant, the cost of a kitchen, living room, roof and utilities. If you live with a roommate, the additional costs for the common areas, the bill higher current is cut in half. Cost adding a third or fourth roommate other chops.

Transport

. Some college towns like Boulder, Colorado, are pedestrian: it is easy to walk, bike or take the bus, where you should go. But other schools, Metropolitan State College of Denver and the University of Cincinnati, are not consistent in pedestrian zones. The students will have difficulty navigating the area, without having a car, and most of the jobs and internships will be located in areas that need the student to arrive.

The cost of a car - both purchase, fuel and maintenance - is the second largest budget buster years of college.

The Voyage of the students at home during the holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, you can also add up to hundreds of dollars, especially if these trips require extensive travel or flights.

More information on the budget for a car and discover how to avoid car loans, so a car payment for you.

Technology

Students must be at the forefront of technology: at least, they will need a cell phone or a smartphone and a laptop. If you study certain subjects or graphics programming, such as film, art and multimedia design, is almost certainly need an apple, which is more expensive than a PC.

Students can save money by not getting a printer to save; Most universities have computer labs that provide the pressure. Some can print for free the students, while others have a small fee.

Students can also save money by. Either a laptop or desktop computer through a tablet In general, there is no reason all three.

Furniture

Everyone thinks about the cost of rent, but many forget the cost for all the items that go in your home: kitchen towels, sponges, dishwashing liquid, forks, can openers, sheets, pillows, blankets, towels, clothes hanger in wardrobe, file folders, office . They are worldly, small objects necessary for modern life, while each item is individually cheap, this can add up quickly.

Browse thrift stores and to find as much as possible products used Craigslist. Give up things that are not necessary: no need to frame for a bed to buy, for example, if they are easily a mattress on the floor. And to be creative: when I was in college, I used a lot of empty milk crates on top of each to my bookshelf.