Create a Budget Plan for Next Year.

Work with your parents to make a budget plan for next year.  Review the results from the Cost / Financial Aid Comparison Spreadsheet to see how much you and your family are expected to pay from cash and loans.  Don’t forget to include expenses for miscellaneous items such as campus activity fees, parking fees, transportation and travel, purchases of dorm room items such as a microwave oven and a mini-refrigerator, computer costs (paper and ink), food outside 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 borrow money.  Be prepared to start the loan process next month, if needed.