<p>Aww, we'll miss you slipstream</p>
<p>Schools usually do a ''budget'' for students - which includes 'all' expenses to attend the school - not just the tuition/fees/room/board types of things - you may well have received what you call excess aid to cover some of those other expenses - such as transportation for travel home/back so many times, personal stuff/needs - things which are not really school related, etc....... and the work-study is fed $$ that you are paid on a monthly basis - usually used as 'pizza' $$ - for participating in a work-study job usually on campus - I know W&L recommends or limits the work-study hours they allow - so as not to over do it - and it is usually dispersed as minimum wage level $$. $$ is usually dispersed per semester also - not all at once.</p>
<p>Just a word of advice - don't undercut yourself regarding the fin aid offer - you may find that you will need the funds offered - even tho they include small loans and work-study. You may be surprised at what your actual expenses are going to be in reality - no just on paper.</p>
<p>I'm doing the work-study for sure because it's what you call "pizza" $$ (best way I've heard it worder so far), it's a maximum of 5 hours a week for freshmen, so it won't take up too much of my time and they will issue a check to me instead of just crediting it to my tuition. It's always good to have some spending money.</p>
<p>JeepMOM, could you use list some unexpected or at least unlisted expenses (other than travel - I'm driving so it shouldn't be too bad, my dad has the cheapest gas stations along the road memorized already) that I would have to deal with?</p>
<p>Right now, it looks as though I am going to take a double and decline the $1800 loan. It's an unsubsidized loan so I would have to pay interest and I can earn the same amount of money by working this summer. If I need more money than I will have from the Grant, the money I earn this summer should be enough unless I go for a single - which is about $1500 more. This way I don't have to graduate with debt.</p>
<p>Some of the unexpected expenes may be - uummm let me see.........
Frat expenses - if you pledge
a tux? maybe for fancy dress ball
that flat tire you get - if you bring a car
a new printer - cuz yours went out the window
a blazer??
your share of the gas if you go someplace with someone
the emergency trip home
the much wanted do-da from the bookstore - book, W&L blanket - that special holiday gift you just have to get lol
medication - if ya get sick and need a script and have to pay any part of it
toothpaste, shaving cream, deodorant - things like that
food/drink you inbibe that is not from the d'hall
the tow - when your vehicle gets towed from that wrong parking space or a ticket you may get for something - believe me - it happens
your share of the 'party' or trips to all nite diner - stocking the fridge
the trip to Wally World or Piggly Wiggly cuz you need something
if you participate in a club there may be expenses to cover
if you do any of the school trips - there may be some shared expenses</p>
<p>There are all kinds of things -things that you just don't think of or know of til it happens - just plan on 'some' expenses that will come up</p>
<p>HAHA 'pizza $$' - i call it that cuz you always have to split it 6-8 ways by the time you get it - but the work-study thing is a great opportunity - the number of hours goes up with each year - my DS had the same one for 4 years - so always had 'pizza $' - good thing too.......he also worked at one of the local hang outs too.</p>
<p>Another good hint - Tripple A is always good to have - even if you don't have your own car - you can use it for your buds car as long as you are with it and you are kinda out in the boonies in Lexington.</p>