<p>I was looking at my finalized financial aid offer, and I noticed that "personal" and "travel" expenses were part of the 2009-2010 year costs. How do those work? Is our travel reimbursed, or do we receive stipends? Or is it just an estimate of how much we might spend (but then why is it part of the final amount)?</p>
<p>I was wondering about that too! Mine doesn’t say anything about travel expenses but Personal Expenses were there and I can’t fathom why it’s a part of the total cost…</p>
<p>basically they lay out the estimated “cost of attendance” for going to stanford. so they guess how much you are going to spend on things like clothes, cell phone, travel, etc. (I assume based on surveying current students).</p>
<p>from Stanford’s Financial Aid website
[FAQ</a> : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/site/faq/index.html]FAQ”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/site/faq/index.html)
</p>
<p>A person receiving 100% FA will is awarded an amount equalling the total cost of attendance. Others will receive smaller amounts. The bill that is generated each quarter lists only Stanford’s charges, such as tuition, room & board and fees. If you are frugal, you may spend less than the estimated amount on travel or personal expenses. That is up to you.</p>
<p>then why are the personal/travel expenses factored into the total aid amount? </p>
<p>like the “total expenses” comes out to 53,496 INCLUDING the personal and travel expenses (personal = 2385). i am to receive 48896 in aid, which makes my balance 4600. </p>
<p>of that, i pay 2600 and my family 2000. does that mean my family doesn’t have to pay at all (and just pay for my “personal” expenses)? </p>
<p>i mean this just doesn’t seem to make any sense … they gave me a set amount for personal expenses and then gave me aid for it? what?</p>
<p>Ok I’ve just thought of the only plausible explanation… by “personal expenses” they probably mean “meal plan.” Meal plan was not listed as a part of the breakdown… There was tuition, room and board, health insurance, orientation fees etc. It’s the only thing I can think of.</p>
<p>^ isn’t the meal plan included in the room and board?</p>
<p>Board is the meal plan portion of the expenses. And yes gregh that means that Stanford will pay your tuition, room and board and your parents will contribute the $2000 in the manner in which they choose. Stanford is giving you about $48,500. Tutition is $37,000 and Room and board is $11,500. These are the amounts that will be billed by Stanford, so they are covering the amounts they will bill. Then it will be up to you and your parents to pay for your books, personal expenses and travel (and health insurance).</p>
<p>Well I got the impression that by room and board they mean just that… where you’ll be living. I don’t think that it’s a part of the cost. That’s what I think anyway, I don’t know for sure.</p>
<p>room is your dorm board is food. </p>
<p>hmmm … well this is nice. lol.</p>
<p>Ok scratch that idea because the costs don’t add up.</p>
<p>[Stanford</a> Dining - Meal Plan Options](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/rde/dining/meal_plans.htm]Stanford”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/rde/dining/meal_plans.htm)</p>
<p>The cost of meals is $4982 per academic year as opposed to $2385 for personal expenses…</p>
<p>Ok I e-mailed a financial aid officer today and I was told that you aren’t billed for personal expenses, travel expenses OR books. They’re just there to help families plan how much they might need to set aside. It’s not a fee. The “fees” are for orientation, tuition, health insurance and room and board. And yes, meals are included in room and board. :D</p>
<p>So you have to put out your own $ for books, travel expenses and personal expenses.</p>
<p>^great, thanks!</p>
<p>No problem!</p>