Spring is an exciting, exhilarating time for high school seniors…many are receiving acceptance letters and financial aid details from the colleges to which they applied.

As final college decisions are being made the, New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC) reminds students and families to plan for the “hidden costs” of going away to college. HESC is the state agency that helps people pay for college.

To avoid a budgeting crisis in the fall, remember college is more than tuition, room and board. Here are a few start-up costs to keep in mind:

Dorm Supplies

New college students will need bedding – a set or two of sheets (usually extra-long; check with the residence office), blanket/s, bedspread and pillows; towels; a desk lamp; laundry basket or hamper; alarm clock (no mom or dad to wake you anymore); perhaps an area rug and small chair; cleaning supplies; wastebasket; toiletries; and room decorations.

You may be able to coordinate with roommates for a television, mini-refrigerator or microfridge (combination microwave and refrigerator), fan, book shelves and stereo.

Books and Supplies

There is much discussion about the rising costs of textbooks, but regardless, they are a required part of most classes. There are options available instead of purchasing new copies of required textbooks.

Get course book lists as early as possible (usually available from the campus bookstore after the student has been registered for their first semester classes). Check the bookstore for used copies; shop online booksellers for titles; some communities have used bookstores that cater to college students by carrying used texts at lower cost than the campus bookstore. Don’t be shy about asking current students where they buy their books – they usually have the scoop on all the local and online options.

Depending on the student’s major, there may be other expenses such as lab and computing fees, art or music supplies or other material fees. Be sure to ask your advisor about first-year academic expenses.

Computer

Depending on your selected college, you may be required to have a particular computer for use while you are attending. If the college doesn’t have a special requirement, you may not need a personal computer of your own. Most colleges have computers available for students in user rooms in the dorms, libraries and other campus locations. You may still wish to have your own computer to use whenever and where ever you want.

Make sure you buy a model that will be compatible with the systems used on campus. Some colleges have arrangements with computer vendors to sell equipment at a discounted, student rate.

Transportation

Students bringing a car to campus are responsible for campus registration fees and parking, along with the cost of gas, insurance and maintenance – if the student is allowed to have a car on campus (many freshmen are not).

Transportation to and from home will depend on the cost of travel by car, bus, train or air and how often the student plans to come home.

Cell Phone

Some colleges include the cost of local phone service with the room; however, most students want a cell phone if they don’t already have one. Compare your carrier choices carefully – you will also want to check the carrier’s maps to be sure the college is within the coverage area.

Clothing

Flip-flops and college insignia sweats are usually “essentials.” Families need to talk about what the student already has and what s/he will need. Students can save money by shopping pre-season sales during the summer before the semester starts.

Entertainment

College life includes down time, which means making new friends, socializing and going out for movies, food, concerts, participating in sports and other activities. Talk about how much money to budget for weekly entertainment expenses. Working at a summer job is a good way to save in advance for entertainment and other miscellaneous expenses for the following academic year.

Clubs, Fraternities and Sororities

Most extracurricular clubs are covered by activity fees the college charges on its invoice; however, some clubs may require dues to cover additional insurance or training (like a non-league sports club or campus radio station). Fraternities and sororities may charge dues ranging from $100 to $500 annually.

Student Health Insurance

Most college campuses require students to have health insurance. It’s a sad fact that some students drop out of college after a sudden illness for which they were uninsured. Many campuses offer low-cost health insurance to students who are not already covered under their parents’ family health insurance.

Parents’ Weekend and Orientation

Relatives will almost certainly want to visit their student on Parents’ Weekend, especially if it is the student’s first time away from home. Scout around the local area near the campus and plan hotel/motel and food expenses for the weekend in advance. Those special campus weekends are very popular events and parents may want to book lodging early for the best choices. Some local hotels may offer discounts for families attending college events – ask when making your reservations or check the college Web site. Many colleges have sections for visitors and parents.

Miscellaneous Expenses

Washer/dryers, photocopying, vending machine purchases, along with other “odds n’ ends,” can add up quickly. Some of these expenses can be paid in advance on a campus card that works like a debit card for on-campus expenses.

Many of the campus cards can also be used off-campus at local fast-food restaurants and pizza parlors, dry cleaners and gas stations. Students and families need to budget an amount of money that will be available for use on a monthly or semester basis to cover miscellaneous expenses.

Students can work summer jobs and earn enough money to cover some of the invisible costs of going to college. Planning ahead and putting money aside now will help solve budgeting issues as the exciting, new fall term approaches.

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