<p>eusriso: Do you belong to a credit union? If so, check and see if you can transfer money from your/daughter’s account to Alabama Credit Union. I am a teacher, and my boys have credit union accounts (as do I). We’ve been able to transfer money from our local bank to their accounts with no trouble.</p>
<p>As for books, you can save a lot on books if you really shop the heck out of them! My sons give me their schedules each semester, and I really look for the best prices for him. We often go the used route, although sometimes, you do better with rentals. So have your daughter start looking for the best prices.</p>
<p>As for fees, few schools cover those totals. So always estimate on the high side. Also, engineering/science fees are higher because of the labs. </p>
<p>Once your daughter is at Bama, tell her to look for more scholarship opportunities.I cannot say that enough! My older son, who is a Bama grad, listened. He applied for all sorts of things, and he landed a huge, prestigious scholarship that also carried an internship with NOAA. That scholarship offset other expenses his final two years of college. His best friend, an engineering major, won a Hollings, Goldwater and Mitchell – lots of money and opportunities. But, there are smaller scholarships, too, that will offset expenses. My younger son already has gotten this lecture – he did lots of local apps when in high school, and he has enough extra money to cover his room for nearly two years. We pay for food, fees and books, as well as travel home.</p>
<p>Startup for college is always an expense. We are going through that with my younger son, who will attend UA in Huntsville. Things do get better in future years, because you do not need to purchase new linens and blankets, dishes, pots and pans, certain cleaning items, etc. Fortunately, I have been trading e-mails with two of his roommates’ moms, so we can coordinate what the boys need/want. Who needs three vacuums?</p>
<p>One question is: Does she really need her car at UA? My son went four years without one. He also will not have one when he is at UVA Law. You can save a boatload of money on insurance if she leaves her car at home – we saved about $1800 a year. My younger son also will not have a car. My kids always had roommates with cars or they walked (keeps that Freshman 15 off). There are plenty of kids who will have cars and are willing to give someone a ride to the store/airport. Just chip in for the gas. </p>