Hidden College Costs That Can Break Your Budget

You have heard time and time again that college is expensive. But few students and their parents are aware of exactly how expensive college can be. You already know that you will have to pay for your tuition, books and computer. You have probably also budgeted plenty of money for your meals, housing and other necessary supplies. However, there are many other expenses that you may not even be aware of. It’s these hidden costs that can break your college budget if you are not prepared for them.

You will be charged many college fees in addition to the tuition, even if you never use the facility or service the money pays for. Some of these charges may include technology, student activity, library and athletic fees. Many of these charges will be included in the tuition bill, but some of them won’t, so be prepared.

Student Organizations and Activities

Becoming a well rounded person comes at a cost. Activities, societies and clubs are a great way to explore your interests outside of class, but each of these will charge dues or fees. The exact costs will vary depending on the organization, but expect to pay anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred.

In addition to tuition, certain classes may require a supply fee, equipment rental fee or deposit. You may not hear anything about these extra college fees until you show up for your first day of class. If you plan on taking laboratory, physical education, technology or art classes, plan on budgeting money to pay for additional charges.

College Textbooks

Yes, I know that you have already budgeted for the cost of college textbooks. But have you budgeted enough? Unless you have been browsing through your college bookstore lately, you may be in for a surprise. Textbooks can run upwards of $100 each, and if your professor also requires the supplemental workbook, CD and study guide, well, you are now several hundred dollars in the hole for a single class. You can try to find your college textbooks used, but that isn’t always a possibility, especially if the professor recently switched to a different book.

Many college campuses have recreational facilities, like a pool or gym, for their students to enjoy. Unfortunately, they are rarely free, so be prepared to pay for the fees if you want to use these facilities.

Health Care

If you want to be able to visit the on-campus health center, you may have to cough up some cash to pay for it. If you don’t, you will have to find a doctor that is covered by your parent’s insurance and pay the co-pay.

If you carry your own health insurance, you may also have to pay the deductible. Don’t forget about the cost of prescription and over-the-counter medications if you need them.

While some professors will let you email your essays in, many still require you to give them an old-fashioned paper copy. The campus library or local photocopy center will charge you per page to photocopy or print your work, and if it is many pages long, the costs can add up.

Even if you print everything at home on your printer, you still need to provide the paper and ink. For those formal presentations where a simple staple won’t do, you will also have to pay to have your work bound.

College Campus Parking

If you plan on driving yourself to school, you will have to park your car somewhere, and a parking spot on campus can come at a premium price. Expect to pay several hundred dollars each semester for the right to park your car on school grounds.

Bus Fare

If you decide to skip the campus parking pass, you will have to find another way to get to school. Many colleges are conveniently located on a bus route, but you will have to be prepared to pay for a bus pass if you want to ride.

You do plan on visiting your parents occasionally, right? Well, travel costs money, so be sure to budget enough to cover the plane or car trip home—and back.

Furniture and Appliances

Unless you favor a very minimalist look, you will have to buy furniture and appliances for your room or apartment. If you live in a dorm, you may not have to worry about the furniture, but you will have to provide your own bedding, towels, carpet, mini-fridge, microwave and other basic supplies. If you live in an apartment, however, you will have to start from the ground—I mean carpet—up.

Renter’s Insurance

Now that you are out of your parent’s house, your stuff is no longer covered by their homeowner's insurance policy. You will have to take out a renter’s insurance policy if you want your precious things protected from fire, water damage and theft.

If you live close to home, you can pay a visit to dear old mom and dad whenever you need to do laundry. But if your parent’s washer and dryer are not an option, you will have to go to your local laundry facility and plug in some coins.

Entertainment

You may go into college thinking that you will manage your money wisely and not overspend on unnecessary things, but it is hard to resist going out for that burger or checking out that movie if the rest of your friends are going. Go ahead and give yourself some room in your college budget to have some fun.

When you are comparing the cost of different colleges, make sure you look at the fees they charge in addition to the tuition. In some cases, the fees are more than the tuition itself, and you don’t want to find that out after you have been accepted and have the bill in hand.

Also, consider all of the expenses that could possibly come up when you are planning your college budget. Make sure you will be able to cover all of your monthly costs with the money you have in your savings or that you will get through income and financial aid. Once you have your monthly costs taken care of, start saving up some extra money to cover all of those unexpected college expenses. When you think you have saved up enough money—save up some more. You never know when one of those hidden college expenses will pop up and drain your bank account.