Finances at GT

This is a question to current GT students or alumni.

How much the overall GT attendance costs. I mean except the fee (48k) what else you end up paying for? For instance, in my high school, sport jerseys, school t-shirts/hoodies, books, etc. are given for free (included in the fee). Is it like that in GT, or do we have to pay for all that separately? If yes, how much is it approximately overall? Is it compulsory to buy them?

There might be other stuff that I am not referring to that students have to pay for separately from the fee. If you know anything, feel free to let me know about it.

Thanks

lol, amazing!

@Coloradomama Do you know about my this query too by any chance?

@valodik, I think all college students in the USA pay for books. Budget for travel and room and meals. Also, room prices are the least expensive in freshman year, where you will share a dorm room. I don’t know that such a dorm room is available at Georgia Tech for years 2,3 and 4. There are off campus apartments but the on campus apartments may cost about $2000 more per year than the freshman dorm costs. These apartments have kitchens so its possible to cook and save money on the meal plan.

I think you will get a lot of event/ major related merchandise during the school year, but it is random and size wise it is a hit or miss, if you are tall or big guy/gal. You will have about 20-30 cheap t-shirts by the end of your freshman year, coming from sponsors, recruiters, and your clubs. Hoodies and jackets are sold on campus and everywhere in ATL. They could be an expensive item, depending on brand, but how many hoodies you may need?
I think there is a rule, if you are part of GT’s Freshman Experience, you have to get a meal plan, which is not a bad idea, there are still many options. You have a little more flexibility if you are part of sorority or fraternity.
There is a range of housing options off campus, there are apartments near Tech Center, rental houses and rooms on West side and near Home Park, keep in mind there is a lot of construction and development in the area and you may need to have a Plan B midyear, if your rental is going to be demolished. You can cook in almost all freshman dorms, it will most likely be in the hall /communal kitchen. There are some nice apartment-like dorms with living room and kitchen for 4 people.

Thank you!!