When planning to attend college, most people create a working budget. Included in this budget are a number of expenses such as tuition, books, and room/board. Even for students who plan in detail, it is common for things to be overlooked. Sometimes, these items are simply forgotten while other times students are unaware. The number of forgotten college expenses is usually significant but even smaller things can add up quickly. Because every expense is so important, we felt it necessary to provide information so when preparing your own college budget you are 100% confident the budget would work.
Beyond the obvious, many other expenses are a part of the college education journey. Of course, in addition to adding overlooked college education costs to the list, it is imperative that some money be set aside for unexpected fees and other expenditures, as well as emergencies. In a perfect world, extra money would never be an issue but especially when going to college, things come up so being aware, followed by being prepared is by far the best thing you can do.
Keep in mind, the list of forgotten college expenses listed below are just a few of the things that need to be added to the budget. However, these items are also the ones that are not only forgotten but also the expenses that can cause the budget to be blown most.
Parking
If you live in a dorm on campus, most schools require a parking permit, which costs money. As for price, this depends on the college or university but on average, you would spend anywhere from $30 to $150 a month. Now, the kicker is that parking permits go fast so if you know you will be staying on campus it would be important to secure your space quickly. Not only would the best spaces be spoken for but the price would likely go up as the number of available spaces decreases.
If you expect to live off campus, you may luck out and find street parking but in this case, you want to make sure you understand any restrictions. Otherwise, you could find yourself being ticketed often or even having your car towed, meaning even more money spent.
School Supplies
The actual supplies needed for college would also depend on the courses being taken. Of course, you would need items such as paper, pencils, pens, binders, and so on regardless of classes but often, additional items would be needed. For example, if you plan pursuing a degree in engineering, then special paper, calculators, and more would be needed. The best thing is to talk to the teacher or the school counselor to determine the exact supplies for the courses you plan to take. That way, you can be better prepared with the budget and not hit with an unwanted surprise.
Organizations
More than likely, you will discover several organizations of interest. Getting involved is an excellent way to support something important to you, as well as an opportunity to make new friends. While this is good, most organizations cost money. In this case, you may be required to pay dues, purchase organization items such as tee shirts, or pay for the cost of seminars.
Special Office Needs
It would also be important to add in special office needs to your college budget. Forgotten college expenses often include things such as printing, faxing, and scanning. For special projects, lab work, and other areas associated with your studies, more than likely you would need to have something printed, faxed, or scanned.
Personal Recreation and Entertainment
One of the biggest mistakes that students make when preparing a college budget is leaving off recreation and/or entertainment. Although the initial plan to save money may involve doing nothing, it is imperative to be realistic. As a college student, you will want and need to get out with friends. This might include going out to eat, to the movies, concerts, and various community events. Although you want to keep this part of the budget somewhat tight, you also want to leave room for fun. After all, the entire college journey is not just about studying but also having fun and building lifetime friendships.
