Work with your parents to make a budget plan for next year.  Don’t forget to include expenses for miscellaneous items such as campus activity fees, parking fees, transportation and travel, purchases of residence hall items such as a mini-refrigerator, computer costs (paper and ink), food costs outside of the dining hall, entertainment, etc.

After you calculate how much money you’ll need to cover all college costs and miscellaneous expenses, decide if you need to secure an additional student loan.  Be prepared to start the loan process this month, if needed.

A College Cost Spreadsheet is provided to help calculate how much money you will need to pay for college and other miscellaneous expenses. Enter all costs associated with attending college, the scholarships and loans you have already accepted, and other sources of money you will use to pay for college.