How Much Does College Cost?
College costs are more than just the tuition.
Your college will calculate the costs and call this Cost of Attendance (COA). This is not a bill, so don't be discouraged. It's an estimate of what it will cost to attend that school. And it has not calculated any of your financial aid, grants or scholarships.
Here's what makes up Cost of Attendance:
- Tuition and fees
- Books and supplies
- Room and board
- Transportation
- Personal expense
Tips to lowering your Cost of Attendance
- If you have a meal plan, use it! Don't buy take out food instead. That's like paying for the same meal twice.
- Buy used books.
- Keep your books in good condition and sell them back at the end of class.
- Use public transportation, walk, bike or car pool instead of maintaining and insuring a vehicle.
- Carry your student ID card. Many local businesses will give college students discounts.
- Make your own coffee and carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying water. Just $3 a day x 365 days in a year adds up to over $1,000 for daily drinks!
- Skip the trendy school break vacations. Instead, volunteer for a worthy cause — a great resume builder and personally rewarding, too.
