College Costs Will Include (A Lot) More Than Tuition

Most parents worry about tuition costs when sending a child off to college. But don't forget about pizza.

Besides tuition, room and board, books and lab fees, there's a host of miscellaneous expenses that can burn a hole in any parent's college budget. These include transportation, laundry, toiletries, phone calls, entertainment and -- yes -- late-night pizza runs.

"Think about the entire semester and figure out an allowance per week," says Jonathan Henry, director of admissions at the University of Maine. He sees a lot of students come to campus in August with "$1,000 and find in October that it's all gone."

Most colleges give parents an estimate of what the average student spends on sundry items. That can at least be a baseline figure to work from.

According to the College Board, miscellaneous expenses average $1,521 a year at a four-year public college and $1,102 at a four-year private college. (The board didn't know why public colleges tend to cost more.)

These estimates, however, may not reflect the actual spending habits of your child. "What's hard about this figure is it varies by taste and lifestyle," Mr. Henry says.

Also be aware that individual schools calculate miscellaneous costs differently. Some schools include transportation to and from school at the end of the semester as part of the equation.

Full Picture

Parents "should always call the schools and have them explain what is included" in those estimates, says Linda Peckham, spokesperson for the College Board. That way parents can have a better handle on actual costs.

Once you've figured out the baseline figure, sit down with your child and discuss what exactly is a need and what is a want. Toothpaste is a need. Yet another pair of new shoes is a want. Laundry is a need. Eating out three nights a week is a want.

"Families are good at planning for tuition expenses," says Mr. Henry, because they are fixed costs. But, he says, "the unanticipated expenses catch people off guard."

Setting up a checking account might be one way to deal with the uncertainty of expenses.

"For parents who are interested in managing their kids' funds, the best thing is to set up a checking account with a debit card," Mr. Henry says. That allows parents to put money into the account as they see fit, and gives the student the ease of either taking out cash at an ATM or using the debit card for purchases.

He also suggests parents set up a rainy-day fund of anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars for unexpected items like a class trip, new computer or winter coat.

Debit Spending

Many parents also give their kids a credit card. Mr. Henry warns, however, that it's "easier for students to rack up expenses" that way.

"The other way a student can deal with [miscellaneous expenses] is to get a part-time job," says Ms. Peckham. If your child was able to handle a job in high school and still excel in academics, then he or she should be able to do the same in college.

At Colorado College in Colorado Springs, about 60% of the students hold some sort of part-time job. Matt Bonser, assistant director of admissions, says students either work on campus or off campus at restaurants, movie theaters and other retailers. But with the demands of a job and going to school, he says "it takes some prioritizing to make academics come first."

To Find Out More

Web sites that offer advice on everyday college costs:

Princeton Review www.review.com

This site has an excellent page devoted to the cost of attending college. There are special articles on getting a job and dealing with the complexities of financial aid.

College Board www.collegeboard.com

The "Paying for College" section of this site offers parents and students an idea of everyday college expenses. There also are links to scholarship and financial-aid information.