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If you or a family member are hoping to attend college in the future, it can be helpful to start planning for college expenses ahead of time. This way, you can start figuring out how much you might need to save while also setting your budget. To help you prepare for the overall cost of college, here are some common expenses to consider.
1. Tuition
Tuition is often one of the largest expenses for students. For the 2019-2020 school year, it cost the average in-state student $10,440 for tuition and fees at a four-year public school, while the average cost for out-of-state students was $26,820, according to the College Board. Private four-year universities are even more expensive, with an average cost of $36,880 for tuition and fees. When you plan your budget, you should also consider that tuition is increasing over time, and it also may take more than four years to graduate.
2. Room & Board
The National Center for Education Statistics found that students pay roughly $11,000 to $13,000 per year for college room and board. This typically includes the cost of staying in a dorm or renting an apartment, utilities and food. In addition to food and housing, there are other personal expenses to consider, such as clothing, laundry, toiletries and entertainment.
3. Transportation
How will you or your family member get to school? Consider the cost of flights, train or bus tickets, or gas for your vehicle, especially if you're looking at schools far from home.
For students who plan on owning a car while on-campus, this means keeping up with vehicle payments, gas, insurance and parking at the college. Students who live close to campus could pay significantly less by walking, biking or taking the campus bus to class.
4. Textbooks
You'll also need textbooks for most (if not all) of your classes. The College Board estimates that students spend more than $1,200 a year on books and supplies — such as notebooks, pens and binders. Students may be able to save money on these college expenses by renting or buying used textbooks when possible.
5. Electronics & Equipment
A laptop can help with studying and save some trips to the school computer lab. In addition, students might also need a printer. Dorm rooms may also need some furnishings such as lamps, a microwave, a mini fridge, sheets, towels and furniture. This might require spending more the first year to buy necessary items, then some minor spending afterward as you replace and repair items.
6. Summer Storage & Moving
On-campus students typically have to move between school years after dorms are closed. It could cost upward of a few hundred dollars to rent a U-Haul and buy packing materials. Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to rent storage space to hold onto your belongings during the summer, which can tack on an additional cost.
7. School & Club Fees
Your college of choice may charge extra fees on top of tuition to fund clubs, student centers, campus gyms and other facilities. Students who participate in sports leagues and Greek life might also be charged membership fees.
8. Study Abroad & Vacations
While studying abroad in another country can be a nice addition to a college program, it can also be expensive — roughly $14,295 per semester, according to GoAbroad. However, the price can vary depending on the country. For example, programs in Asian countries tend to be significantly less expensive than those in European countries.
In addition, you'll likely want to factor any spring break or summer vacations into your savings plan, too.
Preparing for the Future
To help cover qualified expenses, you could put money aside using a 529 college savings plan. These accounts allow you to contribute money that has the potential to grow (although growth is not guaranteed and the plan could lose money instead). Not only do these plans have the potential to grow tax-deferred, but you also may not have to pay federal or state taxes when you use distributions from the plan to pay for qualifying educational expenses.
For more information on getting ready for college expenses and putting together a budget, consider speaking with a registered representative to weigh your options.
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in a 529 savings plan. This and other important information is contained in the Issuers Program Description which can be obtained from a financial professional. The Program Description should be read carefully before investing.
