So one question I have is how likely is it that the average Freshman can make it the entire year, eating three meals per day, on the amount of dollars in the plan? Should extra dollars be budgeted in from the get go? Thanks in advance!
My Dtr is a current freshman and it is difficult. We dropped off a lot of food at move-in and like oatmeal, canned/jarred fruit, protein bars, PB, soups, rice dishes, which helped. She budgeted herself carefully to live within the allotted amount and did a reasonable bit of grocery shopping to supplement/maximize her dollars. She has a bit extra left as she’s finishing - enough to help a roommate who did not budget well (she’s been at zero for 2 weeks), but I must emphasize that my dtr was very strict with herself. The kids all jokingly say they attend any event that might have food, even if it doesn’t interest them. It’s changing for 2016-2016, right?
BTW, the other killer expense is laundry.
It’ll depend on your eating habits and whether or not you’ll pick-up expensive snacks (Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, etc). I’d say it can go either way. I’ve known fellow students that had money left over at the end of the year and bought all their friends food quite a bit. Just be prepared to maybe need a little extra.
@premature_gray Yes, it is changing. During my daughters Inside GW Day she was told that all of the students money on the GW Card can be used at more locations off campus. I’m new at this (my daughter was accepted to GW-Elliot and University Honors Program). You said the killer is laundry…do they use their GW card to pay for that as well? We plan to start her with $500 a month and replenish what she spends each month (this is in addition to her GW card for food). We have a Starbucks which I reload all the time so that won’t be part of her expense. Any advice would be great (my first and only child in college…I grew up
dirt poor so I’m trying not to go overboard 
Just curious - $500 / month in addition to her Colonial Cash? How much CC will Freshmen have next year? $500 extra per month seems like a lot to me, unless your daughter is a big socializer or joins expensive activities and anticipates a lot of costs.
Tip: Beware of food by the pound as heavy foods, like pasta, will surprise the diner. Also, I don’t know where you live, but my daughter was surprised by the big city cost of food, so she learned to budget and shop carefully. Interestingly, though, Starbucks prices are cheaper in DC than in my town. Go figure.
Laundry can be done on the card or with quarters. It’s $4/load and no, these are not industrial sized machines, so a regular load. If kids need to do an extra, mid-week load, they often try to find someone to split the expenses with.
Best wishes to your daughter.
@premature_gray Yes, that’s in addition to Colonial Cash (maybe I don’t know what Colonial Cash is…). She will start with $500 and we will replenish what she spends (bring the balance back up to $500). We receive alerts (text) from our bank every time we/she uses her debit card (we don’t do credit cards). Yes, she just returned from New York (her orchestra played at Carnegie Hall) and she committed on the cost of food. When she traveled to France both times she commented on the cost of everything. This is a learning experience for us. We would appreciate any advice you have. She’s our only child and we are super excited…but we don’t wanna over do it
I would play the extra cash by ear. $500 seems like a lot to me. My daughter needs to use her own savings for additional expenses and I am certain she did not and would not spend even $200 / month of her own money - lol. She and her friends do free/inexpensive activities (of which there are many in DC), so, again, if your daughter is a big socializer, she may incur more expenses. Admission - we do pay for her club sport fees and we’ve paid for her to take a few Uber/Cab rides outside of metro DC for class assignments.
@premature_gray There are activities/groups that she’s interested in but here’s her focus: law school. She is very driven/goal oriented. Her dream was the Elliott School and University Honors Program. She has to maintain a certain GPA (to stay in the program and maintain the scholarship). More importantly, she’ll start studying for the LSAT in her sophomore year. Between her IB schedule, performing arts schedule and board member duties she is ready to just focus on her glasses (but has joined several GW chat groups on politics etc). It’s going to be interesting watching her make the transition. Thank you so much for the tips.
All of our kids were hyper-busy in HS, HappyFace, however, the need to demonstrate capabilities outside of the classroom doesn’t end in HS, so I imagine your daughter will pick up activities so she can demonstrate breadth and leadership. Employers and graduate schools look for that kind of profile, too (my dtr is my youngest child). Also, activities provide social groups and opportunities, so again, expect (if not encourage) your daughter to find 2 or more activities she is really interested in. My dtr also needs to maintain a certain GPA and sensibly balances activities and school.
@premature_gray You are so right!! I’m reading this book called “There is Life After College” by Jeffrey Selingo which addresses the three types of twenty somethings (Sprinters, Wanderers and Stragglers). Outstanding read and recommended by Frank Bruni. It sounds like we have two Sprinters
@HappyFace2018 Colonial Cash is money that’s accessible from a GWorld card (GW’s student ID). Freshmen and sophomores have certain amounts automatically deposited to the card each semester (the money comes out of the cost of the school- you don’t have to pay extra for this). As a freshman, your daughter will receive $700 per semester on ‘Dining Dollars,’ a portion of Colonial Cash that can only be used at dining facilities. https://gworld.gwu.edu/freshman-dining-dollars There is still money on the card that can be used for food (on and off campus, the bookstore, Starbucks, etc) which is an additional $1,150 per semester (full breakdown can be seen here: https://gworld.gwu.edu/meal-plans )
So, with that said, your daughter has $3,700 over the course of the year for food or whatever she needs. That doesn’t give a whole lot unless she’s willing to buy groceries for breakfasts and some lunches. I think if you break it out by day it’s probably $15 or so- definitely not enough to eat-out for all meals, let alone the occasional treat. Maybe you can just let her burn through that first, then give extra money?
@NHuffer Thank you soooo much for the detailed information. I truly appreciate it. We don’t want to go overboard but also want her to have enough. Thank you so much for providing the links
keep in mind that the freshman plan includes both on-campus dining dollars AND off-campus colonial cash.
i finished with a lot of cash left over my freshman year. i spent the left overs on video games and GW swag from the campus store. so it’s certainly more than possible to live off the dining plan for a year. i would, however, advise you to avoid big fancy breakfasts (that will cost more money and time) in favor of cereal and milk from CVS. this will save you a good amount of cash. also, GWorld transactions are also NOT subject to the same sales tax as regular cash/credit transactions, which helps a little bit
If you have extra colonial cash or dining dollars by the end of the year, is it refunded to you? Or does it keep rolling over till you graduate, and then it’ll be refunded to you?
From: https://gworld.gwu.edu/deposits
"Depositing Colonial Cash and Dining Cash is easy and can be done in a variety of ways.
Deposit & Refund Policy
Colonial Cash and Dining Cash may not be redeemed for cash.
All GWorld deposits are final. You cannot receive a refund for unspent Colonial Cash/Dining Cash nor can you transfer funds to another GWorld card.
Colonial Cash and Dining Cash can be used year round and will not expire unless your account remains inactive (no deposits or charges) for a consecutive 36 month period."
@nguyendave98 Just read specifically in section "IV (b):
https://gworld.gwu.edu/sites/gworld.gwu.edu/files/downloads/GWorld%20Cardholder%20Terms%20and%20Conditions_0.pdf
My dtr needed to use up her dining dollars before year’s end, as they do not roll over. I hope that changes for next year.