How much do you really need for 'personal expenses' during college?

<p>I meant to say $200 a month. GL</p>

<p>I mean like lets just say the estimated COA of college X is 60,000. and lets just say the tuition and housing both add up to 55,000. so the textbooks, personal expenses, transportation will be estimated to be around 5,000. Does this mean the college will only give you the right amoiunt to cover the 55,000??</p>

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It depends on the university how much financial aid they award you. However, it’s extremely rare for “gift aid + loans” to exceed the billed expenses, since work-study and income from presumed summer jobs should be sufficient to cover your personal expenses.</p>

<p>Don’t forget laundry costs - depending upon the school they may or may not give you some money for laundry.</p>

<p>Also, costs vary a lot based upon location - toiletries in Boston/NYC are going to be a lot more expensive than in a rural school.</p>

<p>If you attend a college with a large number of rich students, you will be under more social pressure to spend more money than if you attend a college with students of more average incomes. It also matters the social groups you choose within a college.</p>

<p>One study found that people’s happiness about money was often related to the people with whom they hung out. If you hang out with people who have more money than you do, you are more likely to feel unhappy, then if you hang out with people with similar or fewer financial resources.</p>

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Not really. They all cost about the same, a bottle of Pantene costs the same no matter where you are. What’s different is eating out and entertainment. Movie ticket in NYC is $15, whereas it is $12 in NJ, and probably cheaper at other places. A glass of wine could be $10-15 in NYC, but $5 some where else, same with a pitcher of beer.</p>

<p>^ And if you really do find that to be the case (not sure, not a big city person)- Amazon is always the same price no matter where you live :). And fwiw, I’ve actually bought some things in bulk on Amazon (like shampoo) and it’s been cheaper than buying at the local superstore.</p>

<p>I have also ordered and shipped to my daughter at college bulk dorm foods like microwave mac and cheese direct from amazon for a great price.</p>

<p>haha thats so cool ^.</p>