<p>My kid also got a “travel award” from his college which, almost, covers the cost of 2 round trip tickets per year (we live overseas). But, I think this kind of specific award for travel is unusual. Anyway, they rolled it into his whole package, so it actually goes toward room and board. We use frequent flyer miles for travel.</p>
<p>Neither of my kids have ever been able to come home for Thanksgiving or Spring break. They went home with friends when they lived in dorms and, once D1 got her apartment, she just stayed home. Not a problem if you have very independent kids. </p>
<p>Moving in - I was able to help both kids move in their freshman year. But when I went to university, I went alone. Parents just put me on a plane with a suitcase. I’ll admit, I felt a bit strange and out of place with everyone else’s parents in the dorm. But I quickly got over it and started making friends like everyone else. You just do what you gotta do. </p>
<p>I moved D in as a freshman and after that she gets herself back and forth. She has never come home Thanksgiving or spring break and isn’t home this summer. Some travel expense estimate (there and back again not parents and multiple trips home) is often rolled into the COA but that doesn’t mean that the college actually funds it.</p>
<p>I did one cross country drive with one of my kids, as he wanted his car there that he had bought himself. We did a marathon day and a half without stopping except for pit stops. I flew back with cheap one way ticket that did require me staying an extra day, but I stayed with friends I had in the area, so the trip was actually very budget friendly. For kids within a day’s travel, we’ve done one way rentals to the school, left very early, ridiculously so, driven to the school, unpacked then I drove directly to the airport, returned the car, and flown home on a one way ticket, just crashing in that airplane seat. That way I got a kid moved in on a one way air ticket, with a one way rental, so we were able to load up on things from home and the two of us get there with that rental cost, gas, tolls and have use of a car while there, avoid a hotel room charge and just have a one way plane ticket for one person home. I’ve gotten it down pretty danged low that way. Then for pick up, the reverse can be done. Fly out there one way, rent the car, a one way rental at the airport, load up the kid and junk and drive home. Again, you get the kid and all his stuff home, you get to help (lucky, luck you), you have a car available there, you didn’t drive that distance so you rested on the flight to preserve time and energy, it’s just a one way drive for the two of you. Win, win if you can plan it all. </p>
<p>I loved having my kids a 3 hour drive away. Far enough that they knew we wouldn’t pop in but close enough to be there when they wanted. I know families each manage as best they can. But many of our times on campus (short visits) were bonding moments as they grew. Of course, you can stay in touch via Skype, too. </p>