<p>Alabama’s housing and meal plan for Freshman is higher than some of the other schools DD is interested in. Knowing that we will have to pay for her to live and eat no matter where she goes, and knowing Alabama has beautiful facilities they must pay for, I am trying to determine bottom line college costs. </p>
<p>I was able to look up the actual price of the dorm she wants but the meal plan information was harder to figure out. What is the lowest price a Freshman can pay for a meal plan?</p>
<p>DD gets the Presidential Scholarship but with housing, food and Greek system expenses higher I am trying to determine how feasible UA is for us.</p>
<p>The exception to that would be if they end up pledging a Greek house that provides meals, in that case they would be given the option to downgraded to a lower meal plan (or no meal plan at all). However, they would then have to pay for the meal plan at the Greek house, which may or may not be less than the all access plan.</p>
<p>Also remember, that On Campus housing and meals is only required for Freshman year. After that they can live off campus which is often cheaper and they can downgrade their meal plan (or choose no meal plan at all). </p>
<p>Most students move off campus after Freshman year, so when comparing to other schools you should take into account that room and board will not be the same all four years at Bama.</p>
<p>This year, all freshman were required to have the all-access meal plan. The cost is $1578 per semester. Yes, it is a lot but it’s every meal and snacks. They are even encouraged to “shop” in the dining hall. ex. grab some fruit or cereal for later. They also get 10 guest meals per semester. So, if you visit, you get to eat for “free” too.</p>
<p>This pricey meal plan is only for freshman year. After that, the student can sign up for any other less expensive meal plans or NO meal plan. My D never got the meal plan after freshman year and was just fine. HTH</p>
<p>You can bring the room cost down a lot by choosing a traditional double dorm room instead of the supersuites that are included in the COA. (Since the supersuites were a big part of my D’s decision to attend Alabama, she thought they were worth the additional cost, but not everyone cares that much). After freshman year, you can bring the board cost down significantly by choosing a reduced meal plan or no meal plan at all. And while $300 in Dining Dollars per semester is required, if you don’t use them, you can get them refunded at the end of the year. Last year my D got a refund of nearly $600 because with the All-Access meal plan freshman year she didn’t need to use them.</p>
<p>The total cost for us was less than we planned for after registration was all said and done. D is in a sorority so was dropped to the Greek 55, which we completely dropped as well. The only “meal plan” she is on is at her house. That brought down the cost even more even though the sorority dues kicked in. She is in a traditional dorm so the cost there is lower as well. I also think the budgeted amount for parking ended up being less. As for books, a lot less than I expected. D about passed out and I was actually doing the “WHEW!”.</p>